Multiplexed TC sublayer for ATM switch

A data cell switching device comprising:

• a) a switching element, having multiple input leads and multiple output leads, for switching data cells received on any one of said multiple input leads to any one of said mulitiple output leads;
• b) one or more output adapters, each connected to said switching element through one of the multiple output leads and each having an output internal bus, and each having mulitiple output ports and demultiplexer device for distributing data cells transported on the output internal bus to one of said multiple output ports;
• and
• c) one or more input adapters, each connected to said switching element through one of said multiple input leads and each having an input internal bus, and each having multiple input ports, a multiplexer device for multiplexing data cells received from said multiple inputs ports onto said input internal bus, and wherein each of said input adapters and said output adapters includes a respective common counter for maintaining counts based on the properties of cells recevied on said input ports, said common counter comprising a random access memory having at least three storage location reserved for each of said input ports.