ATM communication system wherein upstream switching element stops the transmission of message for a predetermined period of time upon backpressure signal

摘要

An ATM communication system for statistical multiplexing of message cells has a plurality of upstream interfaces, at least one multistage funnel of switching elements connected thereto, and at least one downstream interface. Each of the switching elements comprises 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 is common for different traffic classes. For the filling of the logical queues to each of the traffic classes, a predetermined threshold is defined. In case of exceeding the threshold for the respective traffic class by receiving a message cell for this traffic class, a back pressure signal is transmitted only to the switching element or upstream interface, respectively, just transmitting this message cell. The transmission of message cells is stopped by this switching element or upstream interface, respectively, for a predetermined period of time periodically until a resetting of the back pressure signal.