Abstract: A switching module comprises input buses (1--1 , . . . 1-n) and at least one output bus (2-ij), in which each input bus, for data packet transmission, is connected to the output bus by means of a crosspoint switch (4-i). Each crosspoint switch (4-ij) has a unique address and a request output (61) for sending out a request signal. The switching module further includes allocation means (3-j) which place empty packets having the unique address of a crosspoint switch (4-ij) onto the output bus (2-j). The allocation means (3-j) comprise recording means (105,201) for receiving the request signals and include a FIFO (107,206) for storing representatives of the unique crosspoint switch addresses that are derived from the request signals. The allocation means (3-j) further include a packet generator (103) for deriving addresses from the representations from the queue store (107,206) and allocating these addresses to the empty packets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching module for asynchronous time multiplex comprising at least one junction switch for transmitting packet-switched information from one bus (14) to another bus (16). The junction switch comprises a translation memory (9) for translating packet addresses into new addresses, a comparator (10) for selecting the packets that are to be routed to another bus, a queue memory (12) for storing selected packets until an insertion circuit places the selected packets into the queue memory (12) on the other bus (16). With the aid of a such junction switch, a flexible network structure can be realized, the traffic of packets on the different buses can be mutually asynchronous and virtual circuits can be realized with the aid of the translation memory (9).