Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for connecting ATM communication equipment to an ATM trunk group, where characteristic parameters reported for virtual connections to be set up are allocated to connection classes and to transmission classes corresponding to the connection classes. The parameters are defined for the individual lines of the ATM trunk group. Further, line particulars with respect to all of the transmission classes for which a virtual connection can still be set up, based on currently available free transmission capacity, are individually retained for the associated individual ATM trunks. When a request for setting up a virtual connection is present, an individual trunk for setting up the virtual connection is selected during the course of a search event involving the line particulars of all individual trunks. A transmission class that corresponds to the connection class to be considered in the virtual connection to be set up is determined from the line particulars of the individual trunk.

Abstract: For route searching in a multi-stage ATM switching matrix network, the free transmission capacities of ATM links are individually stored with an occupation memory. For setting up new virtual connections, a required transmission capacity is reported. Based on the extent thereof, a route selection occurs only via ATM links having free transmission capacity that is momentarily adequate. Bit rate classes are formed for storing the free transmission capacity. The required transmission capacities are also classified therein. For a respective ATM link group that is connected to an ATM switching element at the output side and/or input side, link-associated storage locations are binarily identified in storage cells of the occupation memory provided per bit rate class when transmission capacity corresponding to the allocated bit rate class is still respectively freely available. Presence of coincidence in view of the binary identification established for the respective bit rate class is checked in the route searching.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for a telecommunication system is described. A switching network having a plurality of switching matrices arranged in several stages are used, and a reverse trunking connecting arrangement is used. The switching network is divided into similarly constructed switching networks of two types. The first type switching network has only subscriber lines connected to its inputs. The second type switching network has connected to its inlets interexchange lines and switching equipment required for each connection. Special sub-control units are separately coupled to each switching network section. The switching network sections are each connected in parallel, at their outputs, to multiple lines.