Method and apparatus for providing real-time switching of high bandwidth

Abstract

Broadband terminals, such as video terminals and a video conferencing system, are directly connected to broadband digital access crossconnect systems and connections between the terminals are established via the crossconnects and DS1 or DS3 interconnecting links under control of telephone exchanges associated with the different crossconnects. A broadband terminal is connected to an associated exchange, as well as, a crossconnect and a connection from one terminal to another may be requested by transmitting a special code to the exchange together with a directory number assigned to the desired broadband terminal. The central office, on the basis of the directory number, area code and exchange code, selects a broadband interconnecting link from the crossconnect to which the originating terminal is connected to the crossconnect to which the terminating terminal is connected. Furthermore, the originating exchange transmits the identity of the selected link and the directory number via a common channel signaling system to the exchange associated with the requested terminal. Both the originating and terminating exchanges transmit connect messages to their associated crossconnects to establish a broadband path between the two terminals.