Patent ID: 6034954
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A multiplexer for interworking signals between services provided using a lower speed transmission line and ATM services provided using a higher speed transmission line, comprising:a higher speed line interface accommodating said higher speed transmission line;a plurality of lower speed line interface accommodating lower speed transmission lines; anda time-division bus for connecting said higher speed line interface and each of said lower speed line interfaces,wherein said lower speed line interface comprises:a service terminator for terminating services provided using a accommodated lower speed transmission line; anda bus interface for transmitting and receiving signals, transmitted and received using a terminated service, using a time slot assigned to said lower speed transmission line on said time-division bus,services provided by lower speed transmission lines accommodated in at least two lower speed line interfaces within said plurality of lower speed line interfaces are different for each lower speed line interface, andsaid higher speed line interface comprises:a transmission side ATM processing block for generating ATM cells storing signals received from respective lower speed line interfaces through said time-division bus;a physical layer processing block for multiplexing generated ATM cells to transmit multiplexed ATM cells onto said higher speed transmission line and for separating ATM cells from signals received from said higher speed transmission line; anda reception side ATM processing block for transmitting signals stored in each of the separated ATM cells to a lower speed line interface accommodating a lower speed transmission line to which said signals are to be transmitted, using a time slot on said time-division bus assigned to said lower speed line interface.