Patent ID: 7203197

Claim:
A method for interfacing asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells between first and second communication channels comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first, serial data port that is adapted to be coupled to a time division multiplexed (TDM) data channel over which ATM cells are serially transported: (b) providing a second data port that is adapted to be coupled to a Universal Test and Operations PHY Interface for ATM (UTOPIA) channel; and (c) interfacing ATM cells within a downstream serial data stream supplied to said first serial data port with said second data port for application to said UTOPIA data transport channel, and interfacing ATM cells supplied to said second data port from said UTOPIA data transport channel to said first serial data port for application within an upstream serial data stream to said TDM data channel, and wherein step (c) comprises inserting flow control information, that is used to control the transport of ATM cells within said downstream serial data stream supplied to said first serial data port, into said upstream serial data stream to said TDM data channel.