Network interface architecture for a packet switch communication system
US5524007A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 13, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/70
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An improved network interface architecture for a packet switch provides for the combination of both voice and data in a single switch using a common packet structure. It allows for the dynamic allocation of bandwidth based on system loading. This includes not only bandwidth within the voice or data areas of the frame, but also between the voice and data portions. The network interface (NI) provides a mechanism (the NI-Bus) of passing all packets through the Network Interface or allowing the packet devices to directly transfer packets between one another. The bandwidth allocation can easily be changed because the control and data memories are synchronized to one another. The network interface architecture, according to the invention, allows for the data packets and the control of bandwidth allocation to be controlled by a single switching device. It synchronizes the transfer of the data and the allocation of bus bandwidth. The control of the packet devices can be controlled at a very high bit rate such as, for example, 40 Mbps. It also allows packet devices to directly transfer packets. It allows for easy re-allocation of bandwidth through the use of the NI Base Registers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.