Digital Switching System Architectures

Abstract

Previous chapters of this volume have described functional elements of digital switching systems. These chapters have presented analog and digital terminations, circuit- and packet-switching center networks realizing the synchronous transfer mode (STM) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), system controls, and the theory characterizing user demand. In this chapter, the internal structure of complete switching systems composed of these elements is described. The architecture of a digital switch is studied by examining the functions of the individual elements and by describing the operation of a hypothetical switch. Examples of commercial digital switching systems are then presented.