High Speed Switching Alternatives for Broadband Communications

Abstract

At first, service requirements for broadband communications are introduced, including single media (data communications, video communications) and multimedia applications.

The current status of STM (Synchronous Transfer Mode) and ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) high speed switching options in the framework of the B-ISDN (Broadband- ISDN) is briefly reviewed by highlighting both the multirate challenge for STM and the congestion control challenge for ATM.

Then, STM and ATM interconnection networks are classified in the frame of a common taxonomy. Hence, a few types of ATM switching systems are identified and their performance and implementation are briefly discussed.

Finally, a view on today’s non-ATM high speed switching alternatives is given, including:

• STM multirate switches,

• variable length datagram switches.

The various switching options are described by taking into account technologies for the implementation of both buffer modules and electronic/photonic space interconnections modules.