Apparatus and method for controlling a modular telecommunication system

摘要

A modular telecommunication system comprises a plurality of switching blocks connected in parallel by interconnecting lines. Each of the switching blocks includes a multiplicity of line terminators each adapted to be connected to a data terminal. In each switching block there are provided (1) a central processing system for establishing communication links associated with a respective call, (2) a communications controller for controlling local data exchange between pairs of line terminators connected thereto across real channels, (3) a virtual channel controller for controlling remote data exchange across virtual channels to different switching blocks and (4) interface units arranged between the virtual channel controller and a respective one of the interconnecting lines. The virtual channel controller may be understood as a main transfer control unit not only for switching data and control information from any one of the control devices connected thereto and the others, but also for processing control information for redirecting received data.