Abstract: A time slot interchanger (10) includes a D-channel processing device (30). The D-channel processing device (30) includes a main memory (32), a D-channel memory (34), and a D-channel assembler (36). The main memory (32) receives telephony data and signaling traffic from a subscriber in the form of integrated services digital network signals. Two-bit D-channel signaling portions of each integrated services digital network signals are extracted and placed into the D-channel memory (34). The D-channel assembler (36) assembles the two-bit D-channel signaling portions into eight-bit digital signal level zero (DS0) signals. The eight-bit DS0 signals are stored in the D-channel memory (34) for subsequent transfer with selected telephony data traffic from the main memory (32) over a synchronous optical network link.

Abstract: A fiber to the curb communication system providing telephone service to subscribers using line cards which are pluggable into a broadband network unit. The line cards provide telephone service to up to six lines per card. The cards are programmable from a central location, and the system includes self-testing of the cards, ring generator testing and provides for testing of the telephone lines from the system to the subscriber's location.

Abstract: A cell grant mechanism is presented which allows a central device to control the transmission of cells from one or more remote devices connected to the central device over a physical medium. Grants are issued from a grant table in the central device to allow remote devices to transmit cells to the central device. The spacing of the grants are optimized to minimize cell delay variation. When there are unused cell opportunities, central device can issue grants to devices to utilize the unused cell opportunities on an available bit rate basis.

Abstract: In an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications network which operates over a shared media a method of addressing and access control between a central transceiver and multiple transceivers in a residence is required. A device identifier is placed in the in the Generic Flow Control (GFC) field of the ATM cells to indicate that cells are designated for a particular transceiver or transceivers in the residence. In the reverse direction, transceivers in the residence use the GFC field to indicate that they are attempting to sign onto the network. The GFC bits are returned to zero prior to passing the ATM cells to the ATM processing layer.

Abstract: Digital data is transported bidirectionally between a broadband network unit and devices. The data is transmitted in a series of frame intervals that include request slots and cell slots for transmission of ATM data. The request slots may be used by a device to request one or more cell slots. The broadband network unit determines which requests to grant. If the request is granted, the device may use the cell slot to transmit ATM data. In addition, the request slot can accommodate Time Division Multiplex data such as digital telephony.