Abstract: Apparatus, and a method for flexibly switching telecommunication signals. A plurality of input bit streams are connected to a telecommunications switching network fabric element comprising a microprocessor system including memory. The microprocessor system, under program control, performs switching and protocol conversion functions on the input streams in order to generate output streams. Advantageously, a single element is able to concurrently switch input signals in a variety of protocols, including circuit switching protocols, such as Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), and packet switching protocols, such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) protocols and Internet Protocol, (IP). Where desirable, the microprocessor system can also control the protocol conversion of input signals in one protocol to output signals in another protocol.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a method for switching digital signals of different protocols in a large switching network. Signals and different protocols are encapsulated in a common protocol by a set of input modules. The signals in the common protocol are then switched by a large central stage to a plurality of output modules, which then generate signals in the correct protocol. Narrow-band signals are converted into broadband signals, so that the central stage switches only broadband signals. This simplifies the design of the central stage, while still making it possible to have a very large and economical central stage switch. Advantageously, this arrangement allows a single large switch to switch large quantities of traffic in a plurality of protocols.

Abstract: An enhanced form of time switch. Serial bit streams received in input buffers are stored in parallel under program control in the cache of a pipe lined microprocessor. The microprocessor, under program control, then rearranges the received time slots and feeds them in parallel to output buffers from which serial bit streams are generated. Advantageously, program control is used to flexibly control the various functions of different time switches without requiring a change in the hardware.

Abstract: An enhanced Time Slot Interchange (TSI) facility, in addition to serving synchronous channels of communication, decomposes and composes asynchronous data cells to provide real-time communication among and between both synchronous and asynchronous channels served by a network access switch. An asynchronous cell comprises a 5 byte header and a 48 byte payload. The payload comprises voice samples from a temporarily defined set of DSO facilities and/or data from a variety of data facilities. Time slots of the TSI are temporarily assigned to the payload bytes of each incoming asynchronous cell; the payload bytes are stored in memory locations corresponding to those time slots; and the stored data is read out during time slots assigned to the destination channels of communication. The TSI comprises three data rams to accommodate for frame to frame jitter in the time of arrival of payload samples.

Abstract: A method for providing narrowband-related service features to subscribing broadband lines comprises establishing a composite voice path interconnecting a narrowband server and the subscribing broadband line via a broadband switching fabric. Particularly, a call set-up signal is received in a broadband call processor, converted to narrowband signaling format and extended to a designated narrowband server. Responsive to receipt of the call set-up signal, the designated narrowband server establishes a narrowband voice path interconnecting a narrowband network element to a synchronous-asynchronous converter. Subsequently, the broadband call processor establishes a broadband segment interconnecting the subscribing broadband line with the synchronous-asynchronous converter. The broadband segment corresponds to the narrowband voice path to form a composite voice path. The composite voice path is used by the designated narrowband server to provide narrowband-related service features to the subscribing broadband line.