Abstract: | This paper describes the architecture, functionality and performance of an experimental ATM switch being developed at the Telecom Australia Research Laboratories as part of its investigations into the broadband ISDN. The proposed switch architecture consists of parallel omega networks preceded by a Batcher bitonic sorting network. The switching fabric has no internal cell buffering. Cell buffering is provided only on the switch outputs for cells simultaneously contending for the same output port. The switch fabric and cell buffers include mechanisms for providing prioritized servicing of queued cells and prioritized discarding of cells based on priority fields contained within the cell header. Components of the switch are currently being implemented in 2 μm CMOS VLSI. |