Network switch with broadcast support
US5784003A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/5642
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A local area network switch includes input and output ports for receiving and transmitting broadcast and unicast data transmissions from and to corresponding network stations and a crosspoint switch for selectively routing data transmissions between the ports. All input ports have one connection to the crosspoint switch for forwarding incoming broadcast and unicast data transmissions to the crosspoint switch. Each output port has a unique unicast link to the crosspoint switch for receiving unicast transmissions directed solely to its corresponding network station. All output ports also share a second broadcast link to the crosspoint switch for receiving broadcast transmissions directed to all network stations. The crosspoint switch routes each unicast transmission from an input port only to the appropriate output port via the output port's unicast link and routes broadcast transmission from an input port to all output ports via the common broadcast link. Each output port can receive and store both unicast and broadcast transmissions routed concurrently through the crosspoint switch and can thereafter forward the stored transmissions sequentially to its corresponding network station…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.