Cell-based switch fabric architecture implemented on a single chip
US6990096B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/503
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switch fabric implemented on a chip includes an array of cells and an I/O interface in communication with the array of cells for permitting exchange of data packets between the array of cells and components external to the array of cells. Each cell includes a transmitter in communication with the I/O interface and in communication with every other cell of the array, the transmitter being operative to process a data packet received from the I/O interface to determine a destination of the data packet and forward the data packet to at least one cell of the array selected on a basis of the determined destination. Each cell further includes a plurality of receivers associated with respective cells from the array, each receiver being in communication with a respective cell allowing the respective cell to forward data packets to the receiver, where the receivers are in communication with the I/O interface for releasing data packets to the I/O interface. In this way, the transmitter in a given cell functionally extends into those cells where dedicated receivers are located, reducing transmitter memory requirements and allowing the switch fabric to be implemented on a single chip.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.