Abstract: In a Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) optimized for network packet classification, network operation rules are preprocessed into sub-lists in accordance with a decision tree based packet classification algorithm. The decision tree is encoded as a lookup memory, which is accessed with a predetermined base address of higher order address bits combined with lower order address bits obtained from specific bit positions from a received network packet. Depending on the nodes traversed in the decision tree, different base addresses and values from different bit positions of the packet are used until a sub-list of potential rules is identified. A bitwise comparison of values of each rule against the packet is then executed, the matching rule with the highest precedence is returned as the matching table entry and the configured value associated with the entry is prepended to the packet.

Abstract: A method or system or apparatus provides improved digital communication. In one aspect, destination scheduling is performed by scheduling polling rather than scheduling data emissions. In particular aspects, a loop port scheduler assigns a weight and sequence number to each destination and scheduling polling of ports using these parameters.

Abstract: A method or system or apparatus provides improved digital communication. In one aspect, flow control in performed by receiving status preprended to data units in a combined data channel, where the status data indicated the available status of a number of far end receiving channels. Thus data may be sent only to available receiving channels. In a further aspect, a frequency reference may also be transmitted by including data in data units in a combined channel. In a further aspect, an active channel can be selected among two redundant channels by use of an active bit in said data units. The invention has particular applications to ATM-type communication systems and may also be used in other communication systems.

Abstract: A method or system or apparatus provides improved digital communication. In one aspect, flow control in performed by receiving status preprended to data units in a combined data channel, where the status data indicated the available status of a number of far end receiving channels. Thus data may be sent only to available receiving channels. In a further aspect, a frequency reference may also be transmitted by including data in data units in a combined channel. In a further aspect, an active channel can be selected among two redundant channels by use of an active bit in said data units. The invention has particular applications to ATM-type communication systems and may also be used in other communication systems.

Abstract: The invention resides in the field of transferring data and other information from multiple asynchronous TDM channels across a synchronous interface in digital blocks of a preset length. Presently, transfer of data and timing information requires serial transmission of frame payload, qualified with clock and frame pulse indications. A separate set of these signals is required in both directions for each port or physical link. An interface of the invention permits data transfer in blocks which are uniquely identified for a specific port or links and the position of the block within the frame (if the transfer is one of framed data). The invention greatly reduces the number of required signals, thus enabling reduction of pin count requirements and an increase in the number of serviced ports.

Abstract: A technique of processing multiple digital signal streams uses one instantiation of an algorithm with memory storage of the next state, to facilitate context switching. In one embodiment, the invention is applied to framing and mapping techniques, resulting in a low circuit count for implementation with excellent performance, when measured with the commonly accepted criteria.