Patent ID: 6577602
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A module for processing ATM cells of a cell flow on virtual channels and virtual paths that is configured for recognizing error statuses in an ATM inventory and for inserting OAM-specific cells, comprising:an OAM cell generator for generation of OAM cells; a cell filter and processing unit to which an arriving cell stream is supplied; a connection data memory in communication with the cell filter and processing unit; a scan unit in communication with the connection data memory and to which a controller is allocated; an intermediate buffer whose input is connected to an output of the OAM cell generator; a multiplexer to which an output of the cell filter and processing unit as well as an output of the intermediate buffer is supplied; the cell filter and processing unit being configured for recognizing a cell type and for outputting cell recognition signals as well as a connection index to the connection data memory, and being also configured for forwarding received cells to the multiplexer dependent on the recognized cell type and configuration data; the controller being configured for outputting a start signal for a scan mechanism to the scan unit so that a sequential processing of all active connections by the scan unit is started at regular time intervals, whereby an interpretation of the cell recognition signals and of status signals and generation of new or revised status signals occurs; and the scan unit being configured for outputting a request signal to the OAM cell generator that contains an exact type of OAM cell to be generated as well as necessary connection data for a cell header.