Patent ID: 6754205
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A switching element for use in a packet switch, comprising:a crossbar switch for inputting packets from a plurality of packet input paths and for outputting said packets from one of a plurality of packet output paths in accordance with routing pattern information included in said packets; and an arbiter for inputting request packets from a plurality of request input paths and for outputting said request packets from one of a plurality of request output paths in accordance with routing pattern information included in said request packets, said arbiter selecting and outputting one of said request packets when said request packets are to collide with each other to be outputted to the same request output path of said plurality of request output paths, wherein said arbiter returns a negative acknowledge signal to a transmission source or sources, from which the other request packet or request packets of said request packets being not selected have been transmitted, when said request packets collide with each other.