Device for interworking asynchronous transfer mode cells

摘要

A telecommunication environment includes an interface card and a system communication controller. The interface card provides an asynchronous transfer mode interworking capability that is compatible with a serial communications controller within the system communication controller. A transmission convergence sublayer within the interface card identifies valid asynchronous transfer mode cells carried over a T1/E1 trunk link. The valid asynchronous transfer mode cells are transferred to an encapsulation unit within the interface card. The encapsulation unit generates encapsulated frames in a protocol format understood by the serial communications controller. The encapsulated frames carry asynchronous transfer mode cells for processing by the system communication controller. A processor within the system communication controller performs segmentation and reassembly processes on payload extracted by the serial communications controller.