Patent ID: 7242686
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for communicating time division multiplexed (TDM) communications through a packet switch fabric, the method comprising: accepting native TDM frames; converting the native TDM frames to fabric-cellified TDM frames; differentiating the cells of each frame into time slots; interleaving the frame time slots; TDM scheduling the interleaved frame time slots; routing the interleaved frame time slots between input port cards and output port cards on backplane data links through an intervening crossbar; wherein TDM scheduling the interleaved frame time slots includes: an input port card ingress memory subsystem (iMS) receiving a first TDM configuration schedule including interleaved frame time slots cross-referenced to backplane transmission times; and, an output port card egress MS (eMS) receiving a second TDM configuration schedule including interleaved frame time slots cross-referenced to egress channel transmission times; and, wherein routing the interleaved frame time slots between input port cards and output port cards on backplane data links through an intervening crossbar includes: the iMS transmitting interleaved frame time slots on backplane data links to the eMS in response to the first TDM configuration schedule; and, the eMS transmitting interleaved frame time slots on egress channels in response to the second TDM configuration schedule.