Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-01
2003-06-03
Hsu, Alpus H. (Department: 2665)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
C370S421000, C370S463000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06574228
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to communication systems, and, more particularly, to a communication system having physical interfaces and a communication controller, and to a method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many communication systems, a physical interface (“PHY”) connects a communication channel (e.g., fiber optic line, phone line, radio link) to a communication controller. Preferably, a single communication controller can serve multiple (e.g., N) interfaces. The controller regularly requests status information from the interfaces (polling).
For example, in a communication system operating in the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), the channels transfer data in cells (e.g., blocks of bytes). In the terms of ATM, controller, interfaces and channels belong to the so-called physical layer. Many references are dedicated to ATM, such as: [1] Reif O. Onvural: “Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Performance Issues”, Second Edition, Artech House Boston and London, 1995, ISBN 0-89006-804-6, especially chapter 2.4 “Physical Layer”; [2] The ATM Forum, Technical Committee: “Utopia Level 2, Version 1.0”, June 1995. FIG. 2.3B of [2] illustrates a single ATM (communication controller) and multiple PHYs; [3] U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,456 to Shtayer et al.; and [4] U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,786 to Loyer et al.
Controller and interfaces are often located in different integrated circuits in different packages which are electrically connected by pins, terminals, connectors, wires, or other devices. The number of such connections, hereinafter collectively “pins” influences the total costs of the system and prevents using the full capacity of the controller. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the pin number.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved communication system which mitigates or avoids these and other disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5418786 (1995-05-01), Loyer et al.
patent: 5452330 (1995-09-01), Goldstein
patent: 5485456 (1996-01-01), Shtayer et al.
patent: 5841774 (1998-11-01), Flinck et al.
patent: 5862136 (1999-01-01), Irwin
patent: 6426953 (2002-07-01), Benayoun et al.
Ganor Avraham
Hagai Avi
Shasha Eliyahy
Vayzer Vadim
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