Switching matrix for a communications network

In a switching center having input lines and output lines, a switching matrix for coupling the input lines and the output lines of the switching center to an asynchronous transfer mode communications network with primary switching elements and for selecting input signals arriving through the input lines at the respective primary switching element and to output only the selected input signals on the output side with the switching matrix, the switching matrix comprising:

• primary switching elements each having an element input side;
• bus structures for respectively connecting one subset of input lines to said primary switching elements;
• and
• at least three assemblies each having a number of said primary switching elements and at least one output interface with an interface input side;
• said number of said primary switching elements supported by a common supporting element and connected on said element input side to said one subset of input lines by a same common bus structure;
• said interface input side connected to at least one of said primary switching elements of at least two of said assemblies connected to a different one of said one subset of input lines;
• said output interfaces respectively disposed at said assemblies between said number of said primary switching elements and a subset of output lines;
• each of said assemblies having one of said output interfaces connected on said interface input side to primary switching elements of at least two of said assemblies.