Abstract: A method for reconfiguring a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of reconfigurable cross-connect nodes interconnected by links when a failure event occurs is disclosed. The method comprises storing at each node a precomputed configuration table corresponding to each of a plurality of possible network topologies which can result from a plurality of possible failure events. After a specific failure event occurs, the network is flooded with messages so that each of the nodes is informed as to the specific existing topology of the network resulting from the specific failure event. The nodes are then reconfigurated in accordance with the precomputed configuration tables which correspond to the specific existing network topology.

Abstract: A data transmission technique referred to herein as Dynamic Time Division Multiplexing (DTDM) is disclosed along with a set of multiplexers and demultiplexers required to apply DTDM in an actual telecommunications network. The DTDM technique uses a transmission format which is compatible with the existing digital circuit transmission format and the packet transmission format so that DTDM is able to handle the transmission of circuit and packet traffic. Thus, DTDM provides a flexible migration strategy between present circuit networks and future broadband packet networks.

Abstract: A time-division circuit switch which serves as a cross connect for time multiplexed signals including frames subdivided into slots serves to cross-connect input and output lines on a slot-by-slot basis. The circuit utilizes a self-routing packet switching network. An input interface attached to each input line converts incoming slots into fixed length packets which can be routed through the self-routing switching network in a synchronous manner. An output interface coupled to each output line reconverts the packets into slot/frame format. To prevent blocking, the self-routing packet switching network runs at a faster rate than the input and output lines of the switch.