ATM NETWORK INTERFACING DEVICE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease the number of CPU cycles, which are occupied in network communication by a host processor, by multiplexing and demultiplexing compound data streams on a single logic connection independent of the host processor. SOLUTION: An ATM network interface 22 has a multiplexing part 40 and a demultiplexing part 42. The multiplexing part 40 has a means for receiving isochronous and non-isochronous data from independent processors 34 and 36 and for generating ATM cells containing these data. Further, the multiplexing part 40 has a means for multiplexing the ATM cells on the single logic connection of the ATM network. The demultiplexing part 42 has a means for receiving the ATM cells from this single logic connection, demultiplexing these cells, extracting isochronous data from isochronous ATM cells and extracting non- isochronous data from non-isochronous ATM cells. Further, the demultiplexing part 42 has a means for storing the extracted data so as to transfer them to the independent processors 34 and 36 later.