Packet switching apparatus with multi-channel and multi-cast switching functions and packet switching system using the same

A packet switching system, comprising:

• a plurality of input ports;
• a plurality of output ports:
• a switch network connected to said plurality of input ports and said plurality of output ports having a predetermined speed, wherein said plurality of input ports have a first predetermined speed and a maximum output speed;
• an output port exceeding said predetermined speed;
• a time division multiplexing means for providing an even service time with respect to each one of said input ports is operatively connected to said plurality of output ports,
• one of said plurality of input ports having a second predetermined speed exceeding said predetermined speed of the switch network;
• and
• said time division demultiplexing means having an even characteristic of a service time with respect to each one of said plurality of output ports is also operatively connected to said plurality of input ports;
• said switch network, comprising:
• output group address generation means for providing an address information for a grouped output port;
• routing means for receiving input cells which comprise recirculated cells inputted through a recirculation path and newly inputted cells, assigning an output link to each of said input cells when said output port address of the output link from the output group address generation means matches a destination address in the routing tag of said input cell, with preference given to recirculated cells, and outputting said input cells which were not assigned onr of said output links through a plurality of bypass links;
• recirculation path setting means for selecting an R-number of said input cells in said bypass links and for outputting the selected input cells to said recirculation path;
• and
• synchronizing means for receiving said input cells from said recirculation path, synchronizing the recirculated input cells and a new set of newly inputted cells, and outputting the recirculated input cells to said routing means, for thus performing a switching function with respect to the input/output link wherein the input/output speed exceeds a predetermined speed.

A packet switching system, comprising:

• a plurality of switch networks for performing unit switching functions;
• a multi-stage connection network using said plurality of switch networks;
• a plurality of connection link s between unit switches of one group;
• a logic group for assigning an identical address with respect to a plurality of output links of the unit switch of a front point, for thus forming one logic group, wherein a plurality of input cells outputted from the unit switch through one input link are outputted to one of output links at every cell transmission time and then are inputted into the unit switch of an end point, said multi-stage connection network, comprising:
• output group address generation means for providing an address information for a grouped output port;
• routing means for receiving input cells comprising recirculated cells inputted through a recirculation path and newly inputted cells, assigning an output link to each of said input cells which has a destination address in a routing tag of said input cell matching the output port address of the output link from the output group address generation means with preference given to recirculated cells, and outputting the input cells which were not assigned one of said output links through a plurality of bypass links;
• recirculation path setting means for selecting R-number of said input cells in said bypass links, said R-number being the maximum number of cells allowed in said recirculation path and for outputting said R-number of cells through said recirculation path;
• and
• synchronizing means for receiving a recirculated one of said R-number of cells from said recirculation path, synchronizing said recirculated input cells with a new set of newly inputted cells, and outputting said recirculated input cells to said routing means.