Cell multiplexing system and method for an ATM network

A cell multiplexing system which multiplexes short cells into a standard ATM cell, said short cells being generated by assembling data received from a plurality of terminal lines, said system comprising:

• a plurality of terminal line packages each accommodating a terminal line and assembling data received on the terminal line into a short cell;
• a time-division multiplexing bus for transmitting a plurality of short cells, each being assembled by a corresponding terminal line package, in time division;
• an ATM cell bus for transmitting an ATM cell;
• and
• a standard cell assembling controller provided in either one of said plurality of terminal line packages, for multiplexing the plurality of short cells assembled by the terminal line packages, as making a terminal line package in which the standard cell assembling controller is provided as a reference line, and transmitting the multiplexed short cells into the ATM cell bus.