Abstract: In a method of increasing the network use efficiency of computer communication and reducing the limitation of byte stream in a transmit/receive request, a virtual circuit is established between protocol modules such as applications for providing the communication function between software to mate one transmit request with one receive request. By returning an acknowledgement in a unit of request, any vain acknowledgement can be avoided and even in the case of asynchronous transmission/reception, a request which is completed in transmission/reception can be ended immediately, thus permitting efficient data transfer. Even when the transmit request length and the receive request length differ from each other, reliable communication of a request having a smaller request length can be ensured between mating transmit and receive requests.

Abstract: The multi-stage interconnection network of the present invention includes the use of switches in the first stage that have parallel path seeking capabilities. With these switches, a directed flash-flood can be instigated from any one node wherein multiple paths through the network to a designated destination node are tried in parallel in an attempt to find a connection path therebetween. The switches in the first and second stages are interconnected such that each switch in the first stage is connected with every possible priority level to the switches of the second stage. The parallel path seeking switches and network are further configured to test for rejection of the flash-flood by monitoring all connections in combination.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling transfer of cells in an ATM equipment, using the statistical multiplexing effect to control the transfer speed at regular intervals, so as to realize an efficient management and a fine control of the information transfer speed. The cell control device includes a cell transfer control buffer, a cell transfer timing operating unit that performs a desired operation to calculate a cell transfer timing, using a first parameter T and a second parameter X, and a cell transfer control unit that controls the transfer timing of the cell from the buffer, based on the result from the cell transfer timing operating unit, to perform a cell transfer control at a peak rate of X/T in correspondence with a processing rate of the ATM equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing packet synchronized switch-over is disclosed. The present invention eliminates packet loss by preventing frame integrity from being broken. Switch-over requests soliciting a change from a first virtual channel link to a second virtual channel link are received. After the receipt of a switch-over request, state information for identifying the occurrence of a frame completed state is monitored. The switch-over from the first virtual channel link to the second virtual channel link is performed when the frame completed state occurs. The frame completed state is detected by determining whether a current cell being received has an AUU set. The invention eliminates packet loss by maintaining layer frame integrity for both ingress and egress switch-over requests.

Abstract: A device at the terminal unit and a device at the network support an interim local management (ILMI) protocol. When the power is applied to the device at the terminal unit, it notifies the device at the network of support range information about a VPI/VCI of the device at the terminal unit. The device at the network assigns a VPI/VCI to the device at the terminal unit according to the support range information about the VPI/VCI received in a cold start trap message from the device at the terminal unit when a signal is received from the device at the terminal unit.

Abstract: An ATM communications system. The system includes an ATM network on which ATM cells of ATM packets travel. The system includes a host having a host memory mechanism preferably having cache lines which stores the cells. The system includes an interface having a receive memory mechanism which stores a partial packet comprising a plurality of cells received from the ATM network. The receive memory mechanism aligns with the host memory mechanism so every transfer from the receive memory mechanism of the plurality of cells to the host memory mechanism fills the host memory mechanism along cache lines of the host memory mechanism. The interface has a bus which connects to the host on which communication between the host and the interface occurs. The interface is connected to the ATM network. A method for sending ATM cells over an ATM network. An interface for a host to receive ATM cells from an ATM communication network.

Abstract: An ATM switching system which includes PVC allocation circuits corresponding to output queues. At the time of arrival of the leading cell of each burst data, if the output line has room, the PVC of the burst data is stored as information for admission and identification. The subsequently-arriving cells having the same PVC identification information as the stored identification information are input to an output buffer, and the cells of the remaining burst data are all discarded. Even when a plurality of burst data compete for the same output line, the fact that all the cells other than the first-arriving admitted burst data are discarded prevents the cells from being input other than within a predetermined bandwidth and localizes the burst data affected by the cell discarding due to output queue overflow.

Abstract: A communications system for transporting connectionless datagrams over a connection-oriented network is arranged to remove the address resolution function and the connection setup function from a sending host and combine them in a third-party connection server in conjunction with channel management at connection-oriented routing points. The third party request protocol can be used for Classical connectionless over a connection oriented network, legacy LAN emulation and Routing Over Large Clouds.

Abstract: A method is provided for the implementation of a fair queuing ATM cell scheduler that can precisely pace virtual channel (VC) traffic by an assigned weight which defines the available bandwidth to be allocated to that VC. The method provides a minimum service rate to each virtual channel on a small, selected time scale, and requires only a small, bounded amount of work per physical connection, independent of the number of VCs.

Abstract: An ATM switching system provided with a plurality of call processing devices, a plurality of line interfaces for inputting and outputting an ATM cell, an ATM switch connected to the plurality of line interfaces for switching the ATM cell, and a switch control portion connected to the ATM switch, the plurality of line interfaces and a plurality of call processing devices. Requirement information related to call processing input from line interfaces is collected once in the switch control portion. The switch control portion determines to which of the plurality of call processing devices the requirement information is to be distributed based on the information related to the input-output line, a state of processing capability of the call processing device, etc. The related line interface is set directly from switch control portion through a bus based on the control information from determined one or a plurality of call processing devices.

Abstract: A circuit for calculating the number of idle virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers which includes a counting unit for counting clock cycles indicating the number of idle virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers, and clock cycles indicating the number of busy virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers; and an operating unit for calculating the number of idle virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers from the number of idle virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers, and the number of busy virtual path identifiers and virtual channel identifiers, which were generated by the counting unit.

Abstract: A unique VPCI is defined for each of subscriber lines #A and #B, which are accommodated in an ATM switch. Conventionally, attribute data indicating subscriber attributes can be defined only for each of the subscriber line units #A and #B as a unit. However, the attribute data can be defined for each virtual path whose VPCI is used as the unit according to the present invention. Accordingly, it can easily be implemented, for example, to make different communication forms for each of different subscriber accommodation location numbers belonging to the same subscriber.

Abstract: In a fixed-length cell handling-type exchange, a private line connection is set by automatically reserving a usable path and a necessary band at a designated time. The exchange includes a storage unit which has a connection reservation information storage unit which stores private line connection reservation information and control unit which includes a command reception unit for receiving a command having the private line connection reservation information. A reservation information management unit stores the private line connection reservation information received by the command reception unit into the connection reservation information storage unit of the storage unit. A time information confirming unit confirms the period of the private line connection by referring to the connection reservation information storage unit at constant time intervals.

Abstract: An OEM processing device for supporting operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) in an ATM network, whose control circuit has a simplified configuration that avoids duplexity of common functions, thus realizing reduced size and less power consumption. A VPI/VCI extractor extracts VPI/VCI from each incoming ATM cell, while an alarm detector detects a physical layer alarm. An entry data memory stores a plurality of VPIs/VCIs that have been previously registered. When the extracted VPI/VCI is found in the registered VPIs/VCIs in the entry data memory, a VPI/VCI coincidence signal will be generated. When a physical layer alarm is detected by the alarm detector, all the relevant VPIs related to the detected alarm will be generated by using the same entry data memory. A VP-AIS cell generator then produces VP-AIS cells corresponding to the generated VPIs and inserts them into the current ATM cell stream.

Abstract: A network device for interconnecting computer networks, the device including a bridge having a plurality of ports through which network communications pass to and from the bridge, the bridge also including a first interface enabling a user to partition the plurality of bridge ports into a plurality of groups, wherein each group represents a different virtual network, wherein the bridge treats all ports within a given group as part of the virtual network corresponding to that group and the bridge isolates said virtual networks from each other, whereby any communications received at a first port of the bridge are directly sent by the bridge to another bridge port only if the other bridge port and the first bridge port are part of the same group.

Abstract: An enhanced ATM switch with CPU node interconnect functionality and peripheral interconnect functionality and network functionality. The ATM switch provides low latency transfer between computer nodes and performs input/output operations with peripherals through the ATM network. SCSI Fibre Channel protocol (FCP) commands are implemented according to ATM standards to provide communication with peripherals. A segmentation and reassembly (SAR) unit is provided for performing ATM segmentation and reassembly. The SAR includes functional units which allow direct connection of an application agent to the core of the switch once the cell characteristics are determined by the application agent and provides ATM cell translation to and from available kernel buffers. The transmission media in the ATM network comprises digital optical links. The enhanced ATM switch may also include a synchronous optical network (SONET) interface for providing SONET transmission over the digital optical links in the ATM network.

Abstract: Line bundles (LB1 . . . 4) containing combined narrowband connections to be switched between time division multiplex communication systems (KS) are converted into a cell-oriented information stream (IS). A predetermined number of the line bundles (LB1, LB2) is switched via permanent virtual connections (PVC1, PVC2) of an ATM communication network (KN). Switched permanent virtual connections (SPVC1, SPVC2) are set up in the ATM communication network (KN) for the switching of additional line bundles (LB3, LB4). The switched permanent virtual connections (SPVC1, SPVC2) are respectively set up and dismantled in dependence on the traffic volume (VB) between the communication systems (KS). The switching-oriented resources of the ATM communication network (KN) are used more efficiently, and the ATM network switching costs are reduced.

Abstract: A technique for designating output interfaces through which a data unit is transmitted in point-to-multipoint transmission is disclosed. An indicating word having a flag field, a group indicator field and a bitmask field is employed. The number of bits in the bitmask is less than the total number of output interfaces. The bitmask field has a plurality of bits for indicating output interfaces and the group indicator field designates an offset value such that the bitmask field and group indicator field together indicate particular individual output interfaces. The flag field serves as notification that additional such words are to be received in association with a given point-to-multipoint data unit transmission.

Abstract: In an ATM switch, an input port number, an input VPI and an input VCI are used to generate a header appended to the cell when the cell is transmitted. The input port number and the input VPI are combined to form a pointer to a look-up table (LUT). The LUT entry contains a first portion of a pointer to an Input Translation Table (ITT). An ITT entry provides sufficient information to generate the header. The LUT entry contains also some or all of the bits of a mask to be applied to the input VCI to obtain a second portion of the pointer to the ITT. The number of the mask bits is variable. All the mask bits are 1. The mask bits are separated from the first portion of the ITT pointer by a 0 bit.

Abstract: An ATM line card is provided wherein a microprocessor bus is selectively coupled to a memory bus during maintenance time intervals. This allows direct transfer of connection memory data to the microprocessor system of the line card and thus to the RAM of the system. After the transfer is accomplished the busses are decoupled again so that further maintenance work of the connection memory and the transferred data can be done independently. If the access to the connection memory is due to a destructive read operation the corresponding memory locations in the connection memory are reset simultaneous to the transfer of the data which are read out from the DMA of the microprocessor system to the RAM. This results in a dramatic reduction of the time required for maintenance of the ATM system.

Abstract: In an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) communications network which operates over a shared media a method of addressing and access control between a central transceiver and multiple transceivers in a residence is required. A device identifier is placed in the in the Generic Flow Control (GFC) field of the ATM cells to indicate that cells are designated for a particular transceiver or transceivers in the residence. In the reverse direction, transceivers in the residence use the GFC field to indicate that they are attempting to sign onto the network. The GFC bits are returned to zero prior to passing the ATM cells to the ATM processing layer.

Abstract: A method of assigning a connection identifier for an asynchronous transfer mode switching system, includes the steps of: (a) analyzing a parameter transmitted in a VPI allocation request if it is received, analyzing the number of connections and the number of VPI used in SIM, and confirming whether a VPI desired to be used in VPI allocation request if the input parameter is normal and connection is available; (b) changing the usage state of VPI assigned to a VPI management table if the VPI is designated and this is in no use, increasing the number of VPI and the number of VPI assigned in the connection identifier management table, indicating a VPI assigned, or selecting a VPI in no use in SIM if the VPI is not designated with reference to the VPI management table, and changing the usage state of the VPI assigned in the VPI management table.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for mapping a data cell (32) in a communication switch. The system (10) includes a virtual translation table (40) having at least one virtual path translation table queue entry (92) and at least one virtual channel translation table queue entry (90). A to-switch port processor (12), which can access the virtual translation table (40), has at least one link (16-30) which receives the data cell (32). The to-switch port processor (12) maps the received data cell (32) to a queue descriptor using the virtual translation table (40).

Abstract: An apparatus and technique for facilitating mapping of a Multicast Circuit Identifier ("MID") to a Local Circuit Identifiers ("CID") is disclosed. Table entries for such mapping can be disposed in non-contiguous memory locations. A pointer is employed in ca h entry to indicate the location of any subsequent memory location associated with the MID. CIDs and associated memory locations are allocated only for ports that participate in a connection. To implement the apparatus and technique a first table provides an index into a second table based upon the MID. The second table includes entries having a port identification field, a pointer field and a CID field. The CID field indicates the CID associated with the port indicated by the port identification field. The CID is written to the header of the copy of the cell to be transmitted to the indicated port.

Abstract: A packet switch interface, which may be an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) layer interface chip, may be connected to the inputs or the outputs of a packet switch. The interface chip modifies the virtual path identifier and the virtual channel identifier in packets directed to and from the switch. The interface chip also manipulates routing tags for the packets which are used for internal routing purposes in the switch. The interface chip includes a local interface through which packets may be extracted from or added to a packet stream flowing between a main input and a main output of the interface. The interface chip polices different communications channels handled in the interface chip by detecting whether traffic in those channels exceeds certain network usage parameters. The interface is also capable of gathering certain statistical information about the traffic in certain communications channels to allow evaluation of network performance.

Abstract: An ATM switching system which includes PVC allocation circuits corresponding to output queues is disclosed. At the time of arrival of the leading cell of each burst data, if the output line has room, the PVC of the burst data is stored as information for admission and identification. The subsequently-arriving cells having the same PVC identification information as the stored identification information are input to an output buffer, and the cells of the remaining burst data are all discarded. Even when a plurality of burst data compete for the same output line, the fact that all the cells other than the first-arriving admitted burst data are discarded prevents the cells from being input other than within a predetermined bandwidth and localizes the burst data affected by the cell discarding due to output queue overflow.

Abstract: By using a LAN emulation in an ATM environment, end systems such as workstations etc. can connect to the ATM network while software applications interact as if they are attached to a traditional LAN. The invention is a simple technique for emulating a LAN on an ATM network. According to the invention, each end system is identified by hub and port identifiers which represent a hub and a port of the hub to which the end system is connected. By labelling each ATM cell, and proper label translation at hubs, a LAN can be emulated without using network servers which would introduce cumbersome extra procedures.

Abstract: An electrical switch (116) is disclosed having multiple inputs (214) and binary switches (312) operable to switch a signal from an input (214) via respective amplifiers (310). Amplifiers (310) are continuously operable and are provided with an auxiliary switching circuit (412) which provides the amplifier with a fixed voltage input signal when the associated input (214) is not selected. Response time upon selection of an amplifier (310) and crosstalk from any non-selected amplifier is minimised.

Abstract: Information generated by a terminal is delivered to an ATM transmission circuit, which assembles a cell from the information and inserts the cell into a transmission cell stream. An unassigned cell and an idle cell that do not contain information to be actually transmitted are removed from the transmission cell stream by an ineffective cell removing circuit. Only a cell which contains information to be actually transmitted is held by a FIFO memory until a transmission time. The reception by an ATM reception circuit of a cell representing a reference time is detected by a received VPI/VCI detecting circuit. The time at which to output the transmission cell from the FIFO memory to a circuit line is determined by a timer with respect to the reference time. In response to the determined time, a transmission control circuit reads the transmission cell from the FIFO memory, and delivers the transmission cell to the circuit line.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for routing cells in a wireless communications network, wherein the communications network includes a plurality of switching nodes and the cells are routed according to destination-rooted virtual path identifier (VPI) trees. The present invention includes a routing protocol for determining preestablished VPI trees rooted at each destination node. The routing protocol manages the routes of these trees, while ensuring that there are at least two VPI trees from each source to each destination for reliability reasons, and that each destination node has multiple VPI trees for load-balancing reasons. The routing protocol includes an off-line procedure for the determination of the initial VPI trees. In order to handle changes in network traffic and conditions, the routing protocol updates the routes of the VPI trees in a dynamic and distributed fashion. These update procedures are triggered by congestion, link/node failures and link/node additions.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving messages defined by data packets having respective header and payload portions where each header portion includes a channel representation regarding a channel associated with the data packet and an end of message representation representing whether or not the data packet is a final data packet in the message and where each payload portion includes information pertaining to the message. The apparatus includes data memory for storing the payload portions of the data packets, list memory, a header processor for receiving the header portion of the data packet and for providing status signals indicative of the channel representation and the end of message representation, and a reassembly processor programmed to maintain in the list memory a pointer list of address pointers to unused blocks of data memory and a link list of address pointers associated with each channel.

Abstract: A media information distribution service system, such as a video-on-demand service system, is disclosed which, even if the capacity of a line is small and the number of lines connected to a media server, such as a video server, has to be increased accordingly, permits an uneconomical increase in the number of line circuits in the media server to be checked. In the system, a subscriber group that a distributor accommodates can be associated with a plurality of distributor-side paths on a distributor-side line. Each of the distributor-side paths is connected to a respective one of server-side paths on separate server-side lines connecting the media server and an exchange. In sending media information to a subscriber group, an in-server path control unit installed in the media server is permitted to select a free one out of server-side paths on server-side lines allocated for that subscriber group and activates a line interface corresponding to the free server-side path.

Abstract: A segmentation and reassembly processor (10) is disclosed for use in interfacing a group of time-division multiplexed lines (25) to a cell-based communication environment (20). The SAR uses a bit-table calendar (100) to schedule cells to be sent to the cell-based network. A cell service decision circuit (50) reads frame events from a frame advanced FIFO (40) and signals a cell builder (60) to assemble cells of data from a frame buffer (70) for transmission to a cell based output (50).

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a statistically multiplexed ATM bus, to the bus being connected a bus controller and interface units for transmission of packets, i.e. cells, over the bus, in which, having detected, for each cell to be transmitted to an ATM bus, the address of the interface unit participating in the transmission, the bus controller sets the address on an address bus of the ATM bus, thereby activating transmission of the cell from the bus controller to the interface unit, or vice versa, over a data bus of the ATM bus. During the transmission of the cell, the bus controller fetches the next interface unit address for transmission of the next cell from or to the interface unit concerned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling when each of a plurality of virtual connections supported by a transmit device will be serviced by the transmit device. The transmit device includes a transmission control unit that uses a plurality of calendars to schedule when each of the plurality of virtual connections will be serviced. Virtual connections with faster transfer rates are scheduled using higher granularity calendars, while virtual connections with slower transfer rates are scheduled using lower granularity calendars. Each entry in the calendars is associated with a time interval ("cell slot") during which the transmit device is able to service one virtual connection. During a given cell slot, linked lists associated with the calendar entries that correspond to the cell slot are added to a service queue, and the virtual connection at the head of the service queue is serviced.

Abstract: A cell selection apparatus includes processing circuits, conversion tables, a selector output reference table, conversion circuits, a discrimination section, a selection section, a registration section, and selector circuits. Each processing circuit performs a predetermined process for each cell. Each conversion table stores cell identifiers and process identifiers. The selector output reference table stores circuit identifiers and discrimination information indicating whether each circuit identifier is valid. Each conversion circuit reads out a cell identifier and a process identifier from the conversion table. The discrimination section discriminates whether a circuit identifier corresponding to the readout cell identifier is valid. The selection section selects one processing circuit corresponding to a process type indicated by the readout process identifier.

Abstract: An instrument and a method for identifying active channels in a communications system, especially a system operating according to the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) protocol in which data cells are associated with virtual channels (VCs) and virtual paths (VPs). The instrument includes an ATM module with a VP/VC filter that permits capture of only those ATM cells corresponding to any selected set of VCs for a particular VP. The module also includes a processor that executes software that controls the VP/VC filter to scan through VP/VCs using a combination of slow and fast scan sequences such that channels with heavy traffic are identified quickly and channels with low bandwidth traffic are also identified, although not necessarily as quickly. To identify active VCs on a particular VP, the VP/VC filter is initially set to capture cells on all channels; as active channels are identified, those channels are disabled in the filter.

Abstract: A method of searching a table stored in a memory for a record identifying a stored data word corresponding to a binary input data word, wherein the table is comprised of a plurality of records containing a select value field, a left search table address field, a right search table address field, and left and right search table address leaf fields, comprised of (a) indicating a particular single bit of the binary input data word based on a value stored in a select value field, (b) reading either the left or right search table address fields of the record containing the value stored in the first select value field, depending on the binary value of the particular single bit of the input data word indicated, (c) in the event a leaf field corresponding to the read left or right search table address stores a first binary value, repeating steps (a) and (b) using a record identified by the read left or right search table address, (d) in the event a left field corresponding to the read left or right search table addre

Abstract: Disclosed is an ATM exchange for granting permission to a camp-on request in a short time.A temporarily saved band value management table for managing temporarily saved band value is provided, as is a band management table for managing empty band value in the storage device of an ATM exchange comprising a storage device, a control device, and the like. The control device selects a corresponding empty band value for a temporarily saved band value when a first camp-on request is received from a terminal, and sets the empty band value to "0." In addition, the control device adds to the temporarily saved band value a band value released by a break in communication when a camp-on request is registered, and grants permission for communication to the terminal that has issued this camp-on request when the temporarily saved band value is higher than the band value required by a registered camp-on request.

Abstract: An ATM switching system comprises a switch unit including a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports having the same cell transmission rate, and a multiplexer for multiplexing cell trains outputted from at least two output ports into a single cell train and outputting the cell train to a high-speed output line (and/or a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a cell train from an output port into a plurality of cell trains and outputting the cell trains to a plurality of low-speed output lines). The switch unit includes a buffer memory for temporarily storing cells inputted from the input ports while forming a queue chain for each output line to which each cell is to be outputted, a demultiplexer for distributing the cells read from the buffer memory among the output ports in circulation, and a buffer memory control circuit for controlling the write and read operation of cells with the shared buffer memory.

Abstract: A network topology discovery method automatically recognizes the physical connection relationships of each ATM switch and each ATM terminal within an ATM network. Each ATM switch and ATM terminal mutually exchanges, by ILMI protocol, port identifiers that identify every ATM port of the ATM switch or ATM terminal as well as network addresses of network management agents that manage the ATM switch and the ATM terminal, to neighboring ATM switches and ATM terminals that are directly connected to its ports. Each ATM switch and ATM terminal stores tables for each of its ATM ports that include port identifiers which indicate the identities of connected ports as well as the network addresses of the network management agents that manage the neighboring ATM switches and ATM terminals.

Abstract: A distribution network groups television program signals into service tiers. To provide these from unsynchronized MPEG streams without resynchronization, each stream, representing a single program signal is encapsulated into ATM cells with a virtual path (VP) identification of each ATM cell corresponding to the service tier and a virtual channel (VC) identification corresponding to the respective program signal. Payloads in cells having the same VP are scrambled using a scrambling key allocated to that VP and hence to the corresponding service tier, and are unscrambled by entitled subscribers using the scrambling key which is supplied to them individually using public/private encryption techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packet switching system comprising a plurality of inlet circuits which are used each for multiplying a cell coming in by an inlet line, which are provided for transmission via different switches and for producing a time stamp to be supplied with each cell, and the system comprising a plurality of outlet circuits used for selecting a cell to be conveyed by an outlet line from a plurality of received cells that have the same time stamp. An inlet circuit is provided for furthermore producing an inlet number that features the inlet circuit and that is to be supplied with each cell, and the outlet circuit is provided for establishing the correct order of successive cells based upon the time stamp and the inlet number.

Abstract: A multi-stage interconnection network includes the use of switches in the first stage that have parallel path seeking capabilities. With these switches, a directed flash-flood can be instigated from any one node wherein multiple paths through the network to a designated destination node are tried in parallel in an attempt to find a connection path therebetween. The switches in the first and second stages are interconnected such that each switch in the first stage is connected with every possible priority level to the switches of the second stage. The parallel path seeking switches and network are further configured to test for rejection of the flash-flood by monitoring all connections in combination.

Abstract: An ATM exchange having an ATM switch for switching a cell, which has arrived from a prescribed incoming line, to a prescribed outgoing line based upon a VPI/VCI contained in the header of the cell is provided with a call processor for executing call processing control, and with a traffic processor for collecting traffic data. The call processor executes call processing control based upon a connect/disconnect request, and the traffic processor collects traffic data (NDC data, PM data, billing data) in a subscriber line or traffic data in a transmission line. This makes it possible to collect and edit traffic data and billing data without burdening the call processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing address translation in an ATM network element, such as a switch, resulting in minimized circuit complexity and resultant cost savings. The present invention includes the generation of a simplified local address from elements of internetwork communications, the local address being suitable for addressing a routing table in the network element. Components of the local address are also individually employed as masks for out-of-range checking.

Abstract: ATM switching apparatus having a capability of switching ATM cells without providing a conversion table for converting routing information in the ATM switch unit and channel identification information of VPI and VCI. is When a call set-up request is originated from a terminal 1a, a call control unit 13 designates, as a channel identification information, an output port number P.sub.o1n of a switch unit 12 corresponding to a terminal 1n and a channel identifier LCN of a logical channel for coupling a terminal 1a with a terminal 1n, and an output port number P.sub.o1a corresponding to the terminal 1a and the LCN to the terminal 1n. When a cell is transmitted from the terminal 1a, the P.sub.o1n and LCN are stored into a header portion of the cell. In a line terminating unit 11a, an input port number P.sub.I1a corresponding to the terminal 1a is added to the header portion, and the cell is switched in the switching unit 12 by information of the P.sub.o1n and the LCN. In a line terminating unit 11n, the P.sub.

Abstract: A multimedia teleconference system serving sound data to an existing telephone terminal as well as multimedia terminals, and makes the existing telephone terminal join in a multimedia telephone conference by the use of sound data. The multimedia teleconference system includes a first multimedia terminal for generating various kinds of media data including at least, sound data. The teleconference system further including a plurality of second multimedia terminals for setting connections corresponding to each of the various kinds of media data, a telephone terminal for receiving only sound data, and a switch for receiving the various kinds of media-data sent from the first multimedia terminal and distinguishing a connection for the sound data and extracting only the sound data transferring on the distinguished connection to send the extracted sound data to the telephone terminal.

Abstract: An ATM information system processes information at the frame level using a processor including a device driver; a system memory and an adapter for sorting data cells into partially completed frames stored in the system memory using control information provided by the device driver. A controller in the adapter determines when an end of frame indication is received in a cell and updates a pointer in system memory for a completed frame list to a recently completed frame. The device driver processes frames in a completed frame list according a priority of the list. The device driver processing is independent of the sorting and storing of completed frames received in the system memory which improves the performance of the driver and the ability to handle delay sensitive traffic.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating cell transfer timing and for reestablishing resynchronization in a packet switched telecommunications system is described. One or more marker cells, called Empty Cell Position (ECP) patterns, are placed between and amongst a sequence of data cells. Each ECP pattern comprises a bit sequence that is readily distinguishable from a data cell but having the ability to substitute for a standard data cell in an outgoing transmission time slot. This permits control of the relative transmission times of each data cell of the sequence. The data cells and ECP patterns are placed in an elastic buffer such as a FIFO to permit cell generation to be made relatively independent of cell transmission. This method and system additionally permits a cell transmitter to reestablish synchronization every time it detects an ECP pattern. Different ECP patterns can be used to represent varying inter-cell intervals. A cell generator places data cells and ECP patterns in a buffer.