Importance

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Abstract

An arbitration mechanism is distributed among channel units of a statistically multiplexed frame relay switching system serving a plurality of access lines, the cumulative bandwidth of which exceeds that of an aggregate data link over which data is to be transported. For each access line, an arbitration code is generated. This code includes a transmit request or start bit, a calculated multibit arbitration value based upon a combination of parameters, including queuing delay and the configuration and traffic rate of the line, and an address code that identifies the physical location of the respective channel unit. All arbitration codes are readable by each frame relay channel unit via a wire-ORed bus. A channel unit participating in an arbitration cycle compares the value of its arbitration code with those of the other participants. That channel unit whose arbitration code is uniquely the largest of all arbitration participants takes ownership of the aggregate data link, transmits data, and then releases the link.

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First Claim