Abstract: A burst-switching communications system with integrated voice and data services and with processing capacity sufficient to support T1 or higher link transmission rates, such system including a hub switch located at a point of high-traffic concentration in the network and a plurality of link switches. The switches are interconnected by time-division multiplexed communications links. A burst is a variable-length sequence of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy as sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports. Within a communications link, a burst is transmitted one byte at a time in an assigned channel of sequential frames of the time-division multiplexed link. The hub switch includes a number of switching units connected in a closed hub ring with one or more time-division multiplexed communication link to another communication link as determined by address information in the burst being received.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of assigning a first control processor to the service set of a second control processor in a distributed-control communications system having control processors coupled with ports of the system. The method comprises the step of transmitting through the system a service-set assignment message in a control burst to the first control processor, the assignment message including the port address of the second control processor. The assignment message may be sent by a third control processor or by the second control processor. The assignment message may be sent as a result of the failure of some control processor, the addition of a new control processor, or to make the workloads of the control processors more evenly distributed. There is also provided a method of installing a second control processor into a distributed-control communications system having at least one first control processor.

Abstract: A high-speed link switch for a distributed-control burst-switching communications system. The switch provides fully integrated voice and data services and processing capacity sufficient to support T1 or higher transmission rates. A communications systems may include a plurality of switches interconnected by time-division multiplexed links. In a preferred embodiment, a link switch comprises a central memory coupled with a link-input processor, a link-output processor, a port-input processor, a port-output processor, and a memory manager. The link switch includes switching intelligence for routing a burst through the switch toward its destination port in the system. A burst is a plurality of bytes which may represent, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy as sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports. Within an outgoing communications link, a burst is transmitted by a switch one byte at a time in an assigned channel of sequential frames of the time-division multiplexed link.

Abstract: A distributed-control burst-switching communications system with fully integrated voice and data services, and with processing capacity sufficient to support T1 or higher transmission rates. The system may include a high-speed hub switch located at a point of high-traffic concentration in the network and a plurality of link switches. The switches are interconnected by time-division multiplexed communications links. Each switch includes one or more ports. Each port provides access to the system for a control processor, an end-user, or another communications system. Within each switch, there is switching intelligence for routing a burst toward its destination port. A burst is a variable-length sequence of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy as sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports. Within a communications link, a burst is transmitted one byte at a time in an assigned channel of sequential frames of the time-division multiplexed link.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of setting-up and taking-down connections for voice and data calls in a burst switching communications system having distributed-control means coupled with ports of the system. In preferred embodiments, the distributed-control means include port processors serving one or both parties of the call; port processors and call processors serving one or both parties; and port processors, call processors, and administrative processors serving one or both parties. In a burst-switching communications system, control is implemented through control bursts sent through the system between control processors.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-speed queue sequencer which may be employed as a component of a link switch or hub switch in a burst-switching communications system. When so employed, transmission speeds for integrated voice and data services over communications links between switches may be equivalent to the T1 rate or higher. A burst is a plurality of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-speed switching processor which may be employed as a component of a link switch or a hub switch in a burst-switching communications system. When so employed, transmission speeds for integrated voice and data services over communications links between switches may be equivalent to the T1 rate or higher. A burst is a plurality of bytes which represents, for example, a block of data or a spurt of voice energy sensed by silence/voice detectors located at voice ports.