EP0073920A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Multi-stage switching network
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1982-07-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2002-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A switching network is comprised of a plurality of identical intelligent cross point arrays and a network (control) processor (10). Each of the array is a novel intelligent switch and includes both a cross point array as well apparatus to control the cross point array in response to a set of multi bit commands or to formulate a response to a query concerning status of the switching array. The number of command lines connecting network (control) processor to each of the arrays may be as few as two. The cross point array includes a cross point device (switch) for each inlet- outlet combination. The total number of cross points in the network is lower than that dictated by prior art networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Constantin Michel Melas
- 👤 Michael A. Patten
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/64; H04Q3/68; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/54; H04Q3/545; H04Q3/54541; H04Q3/5455
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A switching network characterized in that it comprises : a plurality of intelligent crosspoint arrays (P -P , I l -I , T l -T n ), each with plural input and plural output conductors, for selectively connecting input and output conductors in response to externally generated commands, network control means (10) for generating said external commands and for monitoring the status of said arrays, and, coupling means (conductors 1 and 2) for coupling said network control means to said intelligent arrays, said coupling means consisting of no more than three conductors for each of said arrays for the transfer of commands and status between said arrays and said network control means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A switching network characterized in that it comprises : a plurality of intelligent crosspoint arrays (P -P , I l -I , T l -T n ), each with plural input and plural output conductors, for selectively connecting input and output conductors in response to externally generated commands, network control means (10) for generating said external commands and for monitoring the status of said arrays, and, coupling means (conductors 1 and 2) for coupling said network control means to said intelligent arrays, said coupling means consisting of no more than three conductors for each of said arrays for the transfer of commands and status between said arrays and said network control means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
The network of claim 1 characterized in that each of said intelligent crosspoint arrays includes : a plurality of controlled switches (107) for coupling each of said input lines to each of said output lines, a plurality of switch controllers (101-106), one for each of said switches, control means (15) for selectively controlling each of said switch controllers in response to said externally generated commands, and including : first means (35) for responding to sequential signals on a one of said conductors to control said plurality of switch controllers, second means (25) to selectively connect said one of said conductors to one of said inlets or outlets in response to one of a selected set of sequential signals on said one of said conductors, third means (112) responsive to a signal on the other of said conductors for breaking a connection previously established by said second means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 characterized in that said second means includes means (Data mode bit) to disable said first means for a long as said one of said conductors is connected to one of said inlets or outlets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 characterized in that said control means includes : fourth means (30, 40) responsive to sequential signals on one said conductor to sense status of any of said switches for assembling and transmitting on one of said conductors sequential signals reflecting said status.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
The network of claim 1 in which said cross point arrays are arranged in three stages, with a plurality of arrays in each of primary (P), intermediate (I) and tertiary (T) stages, characterized in that at least arrays in said primary and tertiary stages include : at least arrays in said primary and tertiary stages include : at least a call rearranging input conductor (CRI) and a call rearranging output conductor (CRO), a plurality of call rearranging switching means (Special calls) for selectively connecting outlets of tertiary stages to said call rearranging input conductor and for selectively connecting inlets of primary stages to said cell rearranging output conductor, and a least one call rearranging bus (CR1, CR2) connecting primary stage call rearranging output conductors to tertiary stage call rearranging inlet conductors whereby : an alternate parallel path can be established for a selected connection via said call rearranging switching means, said call rearranging input and output conductors and said call rearranging bus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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