Patent ID: 6151301
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In an ATM switching matrix having a plurality of switching elements interconnected in a switch fabric architecture, each said switching element comprising:a data input for receiving cells from an ATM cell output of a source, said source being a routing table or a data output of another of said switching elements;a data output for sending cells to an ATM cell input of a destination, said destination being a routing table or a data input of another of said switching elements;a cell buffer in data communication with said data input and said data output;an input cross-point block coupled between said data input and said cell buffer;an output cross-point block coupled between said cell buffer and said data output;a back-pressure output able to be coupled to said source for issuing a back-pressure signal to said source to block transmission of cells by said source to said data input;control means coupled to said back-pressure output for asserting said back-pressure signal responsive to congestion locally within said switch element; anda buffer control circuit coupled to said cell buffer and configured to control transmission of cells, said buffer control circuit further configured to receive a back-pressure signal from another of said switching elements and to control transmission of cells in response to a received back-pressure signal.