Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus for time and space switching data from a first and a second input signal to a first and a second output signal, said apparatus comprising at least four switch elements, each having a first and second input port and an output port. Each one of the switch elements comprises switching means arranged to provide for time-switching of data received from said first input port to provide an output referring to said output port and selecting means for defining a signal to be outputted from said output port by selectively combining said output from said switching means and data received via said second input port, the mutual order of said data received via said second port being the same when incorporated into said signal as when received via said input port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for changing the bandwidth of a circuit switched channel in a time division multiplexed network, wherein said channel comprises a set of time slots within each recurring frame of a bitstream between a first node and a second node. According to the invention one or more additional time slots within each recurring frame of said bitstream are reserved, including using, during a period of time, only said set of time slots for transmitting payload data pertaining to said channel while providing, during said period of time, information indicating that said one or more additional time slots are currently not used for transferring payload data. After said period of time, said set of time slots is used as well as said one or more additional time slots on said bitstream for transmitting payload data pertaining to said channel.

Abstract: The present invention refers to methods for establishing control signaling between nodes connected to the same communication link, said link carrying a bitstream that is divided into frames, each frame in turn being divided into time slots, said time slot being allocatable to define circuit switched channels. According to the invention, all nodes connected to said link using, at link start-up, the same predefined time slot or set of time slots in said frames to receive control signaling messages from and transmit control signaling messages to nodes connected to said link. The nodes then establishes, using control signaling via said predefined time slot or set of time slots, respective control channels, defined by respective time slot or set of time slots in said frames, reserved for transmission of control signaling messages from each respective one of said nodes.

Abstract: The present invention refers to methods and apparatuses for providing synchronization in a time division multiplexed network, wherein data is transferred on multi-access bitstreams in circuit-switched channels that are defined by respective time slots of regularly recurrent frames of said bitstreams, said frames being defined by regularly recurrent frame synchronization signals transferred on said bitstreams. According to the invention an auxiliary regularly recurrent frame synchronization signal is generated and selected as a basis for defining said frames on a bitstream if the frame synchronization signal that is used as a basis for synchronizing said frames during normal operation is not detected in accordance with an expected frame rate.