Patent ID: 6084854
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
An ATM switching network for setting a plurality of communication channels between terminals of subscribers, comprising:a plurality of terminals, wherein at least one is provided for each of plural subscribers; andat least two ATM switching apparatuses, each accommodating at least one of said terminals, for connecting said terminals to each other via a communication line, said ATM switching apparatuses being interconnected so as to be capable of communicating with each other;wherein each of said terminals comprises:means for producing at least one call originating signal containing first call information for indicating that a plurality of communication channels are to be set between a terminal of interest and another terminal, andmeans for setting second call information representative of a total traffic amount per unit time of said plural communication channels to said call originating signal;wherein one of said ATM switching apparatuses accommodating said terminal of interest comprises:means for measuring said total traffic amount per unit time in said plurality of set communication channels in response to said first call information contained in said call originating signal supplied from said terminal of interest,means for limiting the traffic of said plurality of set communication channels in such a manner that the measured total traffic amount becomes lower than, or equal to, the total traffic amount indicated by said second call information,means for setting said plurality of communication channels between said terminal of interest and said one of said ATM switching apparatuses accommodating said terminal of interest in response to said call originating signal, andmeans for producing another call originating signal having said first call information and said second call information and sending out said another call originating signal to one of said ATM switching apparatuses accommodating said another terminal; andwherein said one of said ATM switching apparatuses accommodating said another terminal comprises:means for setting said plurality of communication channels between said one of said ATM switching apparatuses accommodating said another terminal and said another terminal in response to said another call originating signal.