Patent ID: 6011779
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
An ATM switch for transferring cells from a plurality of input channels to a plurality of output channels, said switch comprisinga plurality of input ports, each input port connected to one of said input channels and transmitting cells from said one input channel, said input port having an input buffer holding cells when said cells arrive faster from said input channel than said input port transmits, said input port transmitting cells from its input buffer responsive to a plurality of priority levels;a plurality of output ports, each output port connected to one of said output channels and transmitting cells to said one output channel, said output port having an output buffer holding cells when said cells arrive faster from said input ports than said output port transmits, said output port transmitting cells from its output buffer responsive to a plurality of priority levels;a switch fabric transmitting cells from said input ports to said output port, said switch fabric having buffers for holding said cells, said buffers non-responsive to said levels of priority; anda backpressure signal circuit connected between each output buffer of each output port and each input buffer of each input port, said backpressure signal circuit network sending a signal from a congested output buffer to those input port buffers which had immediately transmitted a cell to said output buffer so that said input port buffers cease transmission.