Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
An ATM communication system for a statistical multiplexing of message cells belonging to virtual connections of at least two different traffic classes according to an asynchronous transfer mode, comprising: a plurality of upstream interfaces in each case with an output to which at least one logical queue is connected; at least one multi-stage funnel of switching elements connected to said plurality of upstream interfaces and at least one downstream interface connected to a last switching element of the respective funnel, each of the switching elements comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output to which a logical queue is associated; the logical queue of each of the switching elements being common for the different traffic classes; means for defining a predetermined threshold for filling of the logical queue of the respective switching element for each of the traffic classes; in case of exceeding the threshold for the respective traffic class by receiving a message cell for this traffic class, a back pressure mechanism is provided for transmitting a back pressure signal by the respective switching element only to the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just transmitting this message cell; and the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just receiving the back pressure signal stopping transmission of message cells for a predetermined period of time periodically until resetting of the back pressure signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An ATM communication system for a statistical multiplexing of message cells belonging to virtual connections of at least two different traffic classes according to an asynchronous transfer mode, comprising: a plurality of upstream interfaces in each case with an output to which at least one logical queue is connected; at least one multi-stage funnel of switching elements connected to said plurality of upstream interfaces and at least one downstream interface connected to a last switching element of the respective funnel, each of the switching elements comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output to which a logical queue is associated; the logical queue of each of the switching elements being common for the different traffic classes; means for defining a predetermined threshold for filling of the logical queue of the respective switching element for each of the traffic classes; in case of exceeding the threshold for the respective traffic class by receiving a message cell for this traffic class, a back pressure mechanism is provided for transmitting a back pressure signal by the respective switching element only to the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just transmitting this message cell; and the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just receiving the back pressure signal stopping transmission of message cells for a predetermined period of time periodically until resetting of the back pressure signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
An ATM communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of funnels of switching elements connected at input sides in parallel to the plurality of upstream interfaces and at output sides in each case to a downstream interface; the upstream interfaces comprising in each case a plurality of logical queues associated individually to one of the downstream interfaces; and the respective upstream interface for the switching element transmitting the back pressure signal being received only stopping the transmission of message cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An ATM communication system according to claim 1 wherein in each of the logical queues of the switching elements, means is provided for defining a first threshold for non-real time traffic and a second threshold for a real time traffic created in the first threshold.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for operating an ATM communication system for statistical multiplexing of message cells belonging to virtual connections of at least two different traffic classes according to an asynchronous transfer mode, a plurality of upstream interfaces being provided in each case, with an output to which at least one logical queue is connected, at least one multi-stage funnel of switching elements being connected to the plurality of upstream interfaces and at least one downstream interface being connected to a last switching element of the respective funnel, and each of the switching elements comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output to which a logical queue is associated, and wherein the logical queue of each of the switching elements is common for the different traffic classes, comprising the steps of: defining a predetermined threshold for filling of the logical queue of the respective switching element for each of the traffic classes; in case of exceeding the threshold for the respective traffic class by receiving a message cell for this traffic class, transmitting a back pressure signal by the respective switching element only to the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just transmitting this message cell; and by the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just receiving the back pressure signal, stopping the transmission of message cells for a predetermined period of time periodically until resetting the back pressure signal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for operating an ATM communication system for statistical multiplexing of message cells belonging to virtual connections of at least two different traffic classes according to an asynchronous transfer mode, a plurality of upstream interfaces being provided in each case, with an output to which at least one logical queue is connected, at least one multi-stage funnel of switching elements being connected to the plurality of upstream interfaces and at least one downstream interface being connected to a last switching element of the respective funnel, and each of the switching elements comprising a plurality of inputs and at least one output to which a logical queue is associated, and wherein the logical queue of each of the switching elements is common for the different traffic classes, comprising the steps of: defining a predetermined threshold for filling of the logical queue of the respective switching element for each of the traffic classes; in case of exceeding the threshold for the respective traffic class by receiving a message cell for this traffic class, transmitting a back pressure signal by the respective switching element only to the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just transmitting this message cell; and by the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just receiving the back pressure signal, stopping the transmission of message cells for a predetermined period of time periodically until resetting the back pressure signal.