Patent ID: 6766387
Filing Date: 2004-07-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A flow control system in a square-grid expanded switch having an array of output buffer modules having a plurality of rows and columns each output buffer module having a plurality of output buffers, wherein one output port is associated with a plurality of output buffer modules each belonging to different rows and the same column, the system comprising:a backpressure controller provided in each of the output buffer modules, for generating a backpressure control signal when an amount of data stored in an output buffer of any said output buffers included in a corresponding output buffer module exceeds a predetermined threshold, to avoid an overflow of any of said plurality of the output buffer; and a common backpressure generator provided in each of the output buffer modules, for generating a common backpressure control signal when a backpressure control signal is generated by at least one of backpressure controllers provided in output buffer modules belonging only to a corresponding column and outputs the common backpressure control signal to a plurality of input buffers storing data to be forwarded to an output port associated with the output buffer.