Patent ID: 8064341
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. In a network including a plurality of asymmetrical edge nodes interconnected by bufferless switches, a method of transmitting a signal originating from a first asymmetrical edge node to a second asymmetrical edge node over a path traversing two bufferless switches, the method comprising: temporal switching of the signal in a first bufferless switch, among said bufferless switches, having one channel from the first asymmetrical edge node; and spatial switching of the signal in a second bufferless switch, among said bufferless switches, having a single channel from the first bufferless switch and multiple channels to the second asymmetrical edge node, the second bufferless switch comprising a composite temporal-spatial scheduler operative to schedule temporal switched signals and operative to schedule spatial switched signals; wherein said temporal switching comprises: allocating any time-interval during which said single channel from the first bufferless switch to said second bufferless switch is free; determining a transmission time instant of said signal from said first asymmetrical edge node so that said signal arrives at said first bufferless switch at a start of said any time-interval; and transmitting said signal from said first asymmetrical edge node at said transmission time instant; and wherein said spatial switching includes a step of allocating, by the composite temporal-spatial scheduler, from among said multiple channels, a channel determined to be free when said signal arrives at said second bufferless switch.