Abstract: A novel packet-oriented multiple path self-routing switching network for switching asynchronous time-division multiplexed packets is characterized in that each switch unit of at least one upstream stage of the switching network includes means for defining an available state in which the downstream switch unit is available for routing packet traffic and for transmitting availability status information to upstream switch units when the downstream switch unit is in that available state, and is further characterized in that each upstream switch unit includes means for receiving availability status information for those outputs leading to a switch unit in the available state, and for prohibiting access to any output for which such availability status information is not received.

Abstract: A multiple path, self-routing switching network for switching asynchronous time division multiplex data cells includes input ports (pi1, pi64 . . . ), output ports (po1, po64 . . . ) and switching elements (TSi1, TSi16 . . . ) arranged in a number of stages of interconnected switching elements, each switching element having inlets and outlets and being constructed to transfer a data cell received at one of its inlets, to one or more of its outlets, according to routing data associated with said cells. Each switching element of at least one stage of the network has at least three outlets, arranged in groups of outlets of one or more determined outlets. Using routing data associated with a data cell received at any one of its inlets, the switching element (TSi1, TSi16 . . . ) identifies a set of one or more of said groups of outlets and to transfer said received cell to an outlet of each group of outlets of the selected set.