Asychronous data transfer

摘要

A method and apparatus for making assignment of virtual path and virtual channel identifiers under a "free status" in an asynchronous transfer mode switching system, at high speed, without delaying a call processing speed of a call processing circuit. The method for assigning virtual path and virtual channel identifiers placed in a cell header area includes the step for setting predetermined header values in a memory having a FIFO function; the step for checking a storage state of the memory when a connection requirement of a call occurs; the step for transferring stored header values to interface circuits corresponding to the connection requirement after the stored header values are read from the memory when the memory is not in an empty state; and the step for storing in the memory the header values used for the call required for a release when a releasing requirement of a call occurs.