Asynchronous transfer mode switching architectures having connection buffers

摘要

Improved methods and apparatus to facilitate switching Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells through an ATM switching circuit are disclosed. The improved methods and apparatus facilitate the implementation of per virtual connection buffering, per virtual connection arbitration of ATM cells, and/or per virtual connection back-pressuring to improve switching efficiency and/or reduce the complexity and/or costs of the ATM switching circuit.