Dynamically reconfigurable hybrid circuit-switched and packet-switched network architecture
US8811387B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2012 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/6418
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A dynamically reconfigurable network architecture includes a plurality of switching modules arranged in an ordered, multi-level, switched-tree configuration. A network is formed by selecting one switching module as the root and assigning it and all directly or indirectly subsidiary modules to the network. The operating mode of each switching module can be dynamically selected as either circuit-switched or packet-switched. The modules can be grouped into a single network or into a plurality of separate networks operating in parallel, including both circuit-switched and packet-switched networks. When a network is no longer needed, its operation can be halted and its resources released for reassignment to other networks. In embodiments, a selector controlled by allocation registers selects either a circuit-switching sequencer or a packet connection arbitration circuit to control the switching circuits. Switching modules can include crossbar switches. Circuit-switched connections can use TDM to share allocated physical resources.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.