Multi-channel packet switching apparatus having traffic flow controlling and checking functions

Abstract

A multi-channel packet switching apparatus having traffic flow controlling and checking functions which is capable of simply controlling the system and having a simpler construction by concurrently performing a cell copy function and a cell routing function for providing a multi-casting function. The apparatus includes a synchronizing unit for synchronizing the cells recirculated through the recirculation link with the cells newly inputted into the routing unit based on time and providing to the routing unit, a reverse direction flow control requesting unit for counting the number of cells which are recirculated at every cell time and requesting a reverse direction flow control to a traffic providing source when the thusly counted number exceeds a threshold value, a reverse direction buffering control unit for restricting a cell output to the output port through which a request signal is outputted when a reverse direction flow control request signal is received from the traffic receiving source until the request signal is released, an error cell removing unit for removing an error cell based on the routing tag error among the cells from the bypass link by the routing unit within a predetermined time, and a cell loss counting unit for counting the cell loss which are not recirculated by the recirculation path setting unit by the input port.