Other

Henry Pitura

Christopher John Adams

Ian Malcolm Leslie

John W Burren

David L Tennenhouse

Digital data networks (such as the ISDN) which provide transmission between selected locations may use time multiplexed slots with predetermined maximum bit-rates. However local area networks (LANs) transmit packets, containing data bits, at a rate which varies frequently and often corresponds to a higher bit-rate than can be handled by individual slots. In the present invention packets arriving at an input port are allocated to a number of queues each for a respective destination, and each queue is allocated a group of slots on a digital data network. The slot contents are assembled into frames in a buffer store and transmitted to the digital network. On reception, the contents of several frames of incoming multiplexed slots are held in a frame store and then assembled into packets in a number of buffers making allowance for arrival in a different slot order and different frames. Marker signals are sent periodically in each slot and these signals are used to specify the order in which the slots were transmitted and to signal when the number of slots in each group is to change to allow for variations in packet traffic.

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Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Henry Pitura