Atm switch with copy capability

Starting point: Known is on the one hand the succession of Kopierkoppelfeld, Verteilkoppelfeld and Zielkoppelfeld, on the other hand a coupling field, in which can be copied in each stage. Technical Problem: Real operation is a mix of point-to-point connections, Point-to-multipoint connections with few branches and point-to-multipoint connections with many branches. The total traffic and the individual shares are constantly changing. The known structures are each optimized only on one side for a particular type of traffic. The basic idea: The coupling elements of a switching matrix, which is optimized for point-to-point connections, additionally receive the option of copying a few input signals for any number of outputs, so that a very high number of copies can be achieved for a total of only a few input signals. This switching network is supplemented by a Kopierkoppelfeld which serves only to create a limited number of copies for a large number of input signals, which are then switched in the (main) switching network as a point-to-point connections. Solution: Point-to-point connections are operated as "connectionless connections" by means of self-control of the coupling elements. It is ensured that these connections act as virtual connections to the outside. Point-to-multipoint connections are also operated in the main switching network as virtual connections (connection-oriented) by means of connection tables. Advantage: Trouble-free re-sorting of existing virtual connections possible. Overall very even utilization of the (main) switching network. Disadvantage: Coupling elements with two different addressing options required.