Patent ID: 6317426
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: H04J,H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
An apparatus, comprising:a plurality of first communication paths;a plurality of second communication paths; anda switching arrangement operatively coupled to each of said first communication paths and to each of said second communication paths, said switching arrangement being operable to selectively establish a plurality of switching paths through said switching arrangement which each couple a respective one of said first communication paths to a respective one of said second communication paths, and which each facilitate communication according to a selected one of a plurality of different communication protocols, wherein each said first communication path can be selectively coupled by said switching arrangement to any one of said second communication paths according to any one of said communication protocols;wherein said switching arrangement includes a plurality of sections which each correspond to a respective said protocol, said switching paths each being routed through a respective one of said sections;including multiplexer circuitry coupled between said sections and said second communication paths;wherein a first of said sections includes a first path switching circuit;wherein a second of said sections includes a second path switching circuit, a cell switching circuit, and a third path switching circuit coupled in series; andwherein said path switching circuits each include a time slot interchange circuit and a path selection circuit coupled in series.