초록 ▼

A packet switching architecture provides for a switch system comprised of a cellular base station in communication with the PSTN through a switch. Data packets are routed through the switch system as necessary to effect communication between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and mobile ra

A packet switching architecture provides for a switch system comprised of a cellular base station in communication with the PSTN through a switch. Data packets are routed through the switch system as necessary to effect communication between the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and mobile radiotelephones disposed within the cellular coverage area surrounding the base station. A packet interconnection subsystem operates to transfer data packets between a plurality of interface ports, to which are coupled a corresponding plurality of signal lines. Within the interconnection subsystem, one or more distribution/consolidation (DISCO) interface units are mutually coupled together through a central router unit. Each DISCO interface unit is configured to consolidate the data packets received through at least two signal ports onto a consolidation bus, as well as to distribute the addressed data packets from a distribution bus to two or more of ports. In a preferred implementation, the interconnection subsystem is realized so as to efficiently provide redundancy among the interface units within the interconnection network.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [4.] In a communication system within which is disposed an interconnection subsystem for routing data packets between a plurality of signal lines, said interconnection subsystem including a plurality of packet consolidation interfaces for multiplexing said data packets from a plurality

[ We claim:] [4.] In a communication system within which is disposed an interconnection subsystem for routing data packets between a plurality of signal lines, said interconnection subsystem including a plurality of packet consolidation interfaces for multiplexing said data packets from a plurality of said signal lines into a higher-rate signal line, a method of testing said packet consolidation interfaces comprising the steps of:connecting first and second of said packet consolidation interfaces to a selected one of said signal lines in order that said first and second packet consolidation interfaces receive an identical sequence of said data packets;equalizing said first and second packet consolidation interfaces in order that said first packet consolidation interface accumulates a first set of said data packets and said second packet consolidation interface accumulates a second set of data packets identical to said first set of data packets; andlatching, at output ports of said first and second packet consolidation interfaces, selected information included within corresponding ones of said data packets from said first and second sets of said data packets and comparing said selected information latched from said corresponding ones of said data packets;wherein a difference between said selected information latched from said corresponding ones of said data packets indicates said first packet consolidation interface differs from said second packet consolidation interface.