Multiple data rate digital switch for a TDMA communications controller

摘要

A multiple data rate digital switch for a TDMA communications controller is disclosed which can service a plurality of input/output ports having many different data rates on a time divided basis, either between ports connected to the same controller or between ports connected to different, geographically remote controllers. A transmit burst buffer and a receive burst buffer are connected between the local ports and a TDMA communication link and an intranodal buffer is connected between local ports. All three buffers are accessed by a switch control memory which stores ni control words for each of the ports which are scanned m times per TDMA frame, there being a frame rate of f frames per second. Thus, the ports are selected and their data is buffered at a rate Ri which is equal to the product of ni times m times f. In this manner, ports having a variety of data rates can be serviced on a time interleaved basis with maximum connectivity.