Patent ID: 6122297
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
In a digital communication system using time division multiplex (TDM) and including a switching arrangement having first switching means for switching data and second switching means for multiplexing/demultiplexing data, terminal connection links for interconnecting the switching means, control data and switching data being sent on the terminal connection links which include logical interfaces having a number of time slots arranged in rows and columns, and means for providing resources in the form of time slots, an arrangement for multiplexing/demultiplexing, comprising:first terminal connection links for connections between a number of second switching means and the first switching means, wherein the first terminal connection links include a first interface; andsecond terminal connection links for connections relating to the second switching means, wherein the second terminal connection links include at least one of the first interface and a second interface;wherein, via the resources providing means on the interface of the first terminal connection link, resources for at least two different functionalities are respectively reserved based on columns in the interface and based on time slots in the interface, wherein resources are reserved based on time slots for device processor channels, wherein if columns are reserved for time-slot-based reservation and if there is a sufficient number of free time slots therein, these time slots are reserved and allocated as data time slots.