Abstract: A communication method and packet switching system in which packets comprising logical addresses and voice/data information are communicated through the system by packet switching networks which are interconnected by high-speed digital trunks with each of the latter being directly terminated on both ends by trunk controllers. During initial call set-up of a particular call, central processors associated with each network in the desired route store the necessary logical to physical address information in the controllers which perform all logical to physical address translations on packets of the call. Each network comprises stages of switching nodes which are responsive to the physical address associated with a packet by a controller to communicate this packet to a designated subsequent node. The nodes provide for variable packet buffering, packet address rotation techniques, and intranode and internode signaling protocols.

Abstract: An optical cable network constructed with light waveguide cables for one or more transmission systems comprising a plurality of existing and planned connecting points for individual system nodes. In order to facilitate the network set-up, as well as the network expansion, all existing and planned connecting points of an optical cable network are connected in series with one another by means of through extending light waveguide cables that comprise a plurality of fibers. All fibers are laid in the multiple loops at each connecting point for the formation of a cable reserve, with only the fibers needed for a system connection being cut and spliced to components for the connecting point.