Atm cell assembly and disassembly device with enhanced data handling

Abstract

An ATM cell assembly and disassembly device capable of flexibly dealing with various data speeds on STM and ATM sides, and preventing the buffer overflow. In the ATM cell assembly device, the data stored in the buffer are outputted when an amount of the stored data becomes not less than a prescribed data amount sufficient for loading a payload section of each ATM cell, and the ATM cell flow is obtained from the ATM cells assembled from the data outputted from the buffer and empty cells. The buffer can be allowed to output the stored data only when the output permission signal issued in accordance with usage parameter control (UPC) parameters determined at a time of call set up is received. In the ATM cell disassembly device, the output data are stored into the buffer when a currently remaining capacity of the buffer becomes not less than an amount of data loaded in a payload section of each ATM cell, and the STM signals are obtained from the output data outputted from the buffer.