Apparatus and method for queuing data
US6553035B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2012/5683
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for queuing data such as data being transferred across or within a switching node on a network are described. The queuing apparatus includes a plurality of inputs for receiving data to be transferred to at least one output, each input being adapted to receive data at a data rate associated with the input. Each input transfers data to a relatively short queue which stores the data received at the input. Each output is associated with as many short queues as their inputs capable of transferring data to the output. A long queue associated with the output receives data from each of the short queues associated with the output and forwards the data to the output. A control circuit associated with the output transfers data stored in all of the short queues associated with the output into the long queue. This transfer takes place at a data rate that is higher than the data rate associated with the input such that the short queues are prevented from becoming full. By implementing the queuing system in many short queues instead of fewer long queues, the overall system is more efficient and inexpensive to implement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.