Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-06-26
Hsu, Alpus H. (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S395430, C370S410000, C370S466000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In existing and future time-division-multiplex-oriented communications networks, in particular in ISDN-oriented communications networks, not only are switched connections switched between time-division-multiplex-oriented communications systems via ATM communications networks, but switched connections are also switched in the subscriber's loop of the communications terminals of communications systems via ATM communications networks. For this purpose, as is described for example in German patent DE 42 24 388 C1, permanent virtual connections are established in the ATM communications network. Furthermore, German patent application DE 196 042 44.5 proposes that a permanent virtual connection be established for each communications terminal which is to be connected. As a result of permanent virtual connections being established, the requested switching and transmission resources—in the case of ISDN connections these are two 64 kbit/s telecommunications channels and one 16 kbit/s signaling channel—are continuously made available in the ATM communications network. This leads to an inefficient use of resources in the ATM communications network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a method and adapter device for switching switched connections between time-division-multiplex-oriented components of a communications network via an ATM communications network, which overcomes the above-noted deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods of this kind, and which ensures more efficient use of the transmission and switching resources of switched connections, routed via ATM communications networks, between time-division-multiplex-oriented components of a communications network, in particular in the subscriber's loop of the communications terminals of communications systems.
With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for switching switched connections between time-division-multiplex-oriented components of a communications network via an ATM communications network, which comprises:
in case of a connection setup initiated by a time-division-multiplex-oriented component, deriving an ATM-communications-network-specific destination information item from a specified signaling information item;
automatically setting up an ATM switched connection in the ATM communications network based on the derived destination information;
within a scope of the connection setup and of an exchange of information between the time-division-multiplex-oriented components, transferring signaling and user information transparently via the ATM switched connection in the ATM communications network; and
in case of a connection release between the time-division-multiplex-oriented components, releasing the respective ATM switched connection in the ATM communications network.
The primary aspect of the solution according to the invention is the fact that, in response to a connection setup initiated by a time-division-multiplex-oriented component, an ATM-communications-network-specific destination information item —i.e. virtual path and channel—is derived from a specified destination information item—in particular the destination call number—and an ATM switched connection is set up in the ATM communications network on the basis of the derived destination information. Subsequently, as part of the connection setup and release and of an exchange of information between the time-division-multiplex-oriented components, signaling and user information relating to the ATM switched connection which has been set up in the ATM communications network is transferred transparently. In response to a connection release between the time-division-multiplex-oriented components, the ATM switched connection in question is released in the ATM communications network. Considerably more efficient use of the switching and transmission resources is possible as a result of an ATM-communications-network-specific virtual path and channel information item being derived from the communications-network-specific destination call number and from a subsequent automatic connection setup via the ATM communications network with the derived virtual path and channel information.
A further significant advantage of the method according to the invention is the fact that in the case of an overload or in the case of a failure of a transmission link or switching component—for example a switching network in the subscriber's loop of communications systems—it is possible to use an alternative route or a different switching and transmission resource. For this purpose, a plurality of ATM communications-network-specific destination information items can be assigned to one communications-network-specific destination information item. As defined in the appended claims, a relationship is predefined between communications-network-specific signaling information and ATM-communications-network-specific destination information, rendering it possible to assign a plurality of ATM-communications-network-specific destination information items to a communications-network-specific destination information item as part of a superordinate switching strategy. As a result of the additional ATM-communications-network-specific destination information, alternative routes are determined which are used in the event of the failure of the usual route or transmission link, or, for example, the prioritized route or transmission link. This means that in the event of a fault or overload the switched connections between time-division-multiplex-oriented components are switched via alternative ATM switched connections. The assignment of ATM-communications-network-specific destination information to communications-network-specific destination information is predefined, or can be predefined via appropriate settings—for example program settings.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, when switched connections are being switched in the subscriber's loop of communications terminals of time-division-multiplex-oriented communications systems,
in case of a connection setup initiated by a communications terminal KE, the specified signaling information is represented by a call number indicating the calling communications terminal; and
in case of a connection setup initiated by the communications system, the specified signaling information is represented by a call number of the called communications terminal.
In accordance with again an added feature of the invention, the ATM-communications-network-specific destination information is derived:
from the call number of the called communications terminal in the case of a connection setup initiated by the communications terminal; and
from the call number of the called communications terminal in the case of a connection setup initiated by the communications system.
With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, an adapter device for switching switched connections between time-division-multiplex-oriented components of a communications network via an ATM communications network, comprising:
a line unit for connecting to a communications network and a line unit for connecting to an ATM communications network; and
a program-controlled control unit connected to the line units, the control unit containing:
an evaluation routine for deriving an ATM-communications-network-specific destination information item from a destination information item specified in a connection setup initiated by a time-division-multiplex-oriented component;
a signaling routine for setting up an ATM switched connection based on the ATM-communications-network-specific destination information item in the ATM communications network;
a transmission device for effecting transparent transfer of signaling and user information via the ATM switched connection, set up in the ATM communications network, as part of the connection setup and release and of an exchange of information be
Fraas Wolfgang
Hünlich Klaus
Petri Bernhard
Greenberg Laurence A.
Hsu Alpus H.
Lerner Herbert L.
Qureshi Afsar M.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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