High-speed packet data network using serially connected packet and circuit switches

摘要

This invention is a technique for high speed transmission of packetized data. In the inventive network, each of a plurality of packet switches (103-105) is equipped with multiplexing means for generating a multiplexed data signal by multiplexing packets received by the packet switch but destined for various other packet switches in the network. A system of one or more cross connect switches (100-102) receives the multiplexed data signals and generates new multiplexed data signals by directly transposing predetermined channels of the received multiplexed signals to predetermined channels of the new multiplexed data signals such that one or more new multiplexed data signals each comprise data from a plurality of received multiplexed data signals. Further, the new multiplexed data signals are generated such that all data on any new multiplexed data signal is destined for the same packet switch. Each new multiplexed data signal is then transmitted to the packet switch for which its data is destined, where one or more multiplexed signals may be transmitted to the same packet switch.