JP3467933B2 - Control information transfer method for ATM exchange and ATM exchange - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transferring control information in an ATM exchange and an AT using the method for transferring control information.
Regarding the M switch.

An ATM exchange is provided with a large number of devices (hereinafter referred to as communication devices) for accommodating subscriber terminals, transmission lines, etc., for transmitting / receiving and relaying communication information called cells.
Although these communication devices transfer communication information through multiple communication channels (hereinafter referred to as communication channels) and ATM switches in the exchange, information for controlling the communication devices from a processor that controls the exchange (hereinafter, Control information), and when transmitting response information or autonomous control information to the received control information to the processor, an information transfer line dedicated to control information provided between the communication device and the processor ( Hereinafter, control information is directly exchanged with the processor via a control line).

Since communication devices are mainly devices for accommodating subscriber terminals, transmission lines, etc., the number of devices provided in an ATM switch is particularly large. Since it is necessary to install it between each communication device and the processor, it is necessary to connect a large number of control lines in addition to the wiring of subscriber lines and communication paths when installing the system or increasing or decreasing the number of communication devices. And complicating the construction.

Therefore, there is a demand for a control information transfer method that does not require a control line dedicated to control information.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional ATM switch, and FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining an information transfer path of the conventional ATM switch. The present invention is directed to a method of transferring control information between various processors in an ATM switch, especially communication devices and the processors most often installed in the ATM switch, and communication information and call control in addition to control information. An information transfer method in the related art including information will be described.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of an ATM switch mainly composed of a communication device directly involved in transmission / reception of communication information and a signal control device which is a device for processing call control information. Although two sets of the signal control device 102 and a plurality of sets of communication devices 103 are illustrated in the figure, only two sets of the internal configuration of the communication device 103 are shown and the others are omitted. The signal control device 102 and the communication device 103 are respectively connected to the ATM switch 4 via the communication path 5a, but the communication device 103 is connected to the left side of the ATM switch 4 (referred to as SIDE # 0) via the subscriber line. FIG. 18 illustrates an example in which a subscriber-compatible device connected to the subscriber terminal (T) 9 and the right side (denoted as SIDE # 1) are relay devices that do not accommodate the subscriber terminal (details will be described with reference to FIG. 18). ). Since the information is not folded back inside the ATM switch 4, the signal controller 102 operates as shown in FIG.
Signal control device 102 connected to the communication device 3 on the DE # 0 side
The signal control device 102 connected to the communication device 3 on the SIDE # 1 side is provided on both sides of the ATM switch 4.

The signal control device 102 and the communication device 103 each include one set of common parts and a plurality of sets of individual parts.
In the signal control device 102, the individual unit 122 is a signal control unit or a BSGC (Broadband Signaling Controller), and the common unit 121 is a signal control common unit or a BSGCCOM (BSGC).
Common). Both the signal control device 102 and the communication device 103 are connected by the communication path 5b between the common part and the individual part, but in the following, the signal control device 102 or the communication device will be described.
The communication path 5a connecting the 103 and the ATM switch 4 is NHW
(Network Highway), communication path 5b between common part and individual part is S
It may be referred to as HW (Sub Highway), and the communication paths 5a and 5b may be collectively referred to as the communication path 5.

A processor 101 is a device for controlling an ATM exchange, and each device for controlling, that is, an ATM switch 4, a signal control common part 121 and a plurality of signal control parts 122 in each signal control device 102, and each communication device 103. In principle, a control line 107 for transferring control information is provided between each of the common unit 131 and the plurality of individual units 132 and the processor 101. The control line 107 may be set individually between the processor 101 and each device, but FIG. 17 illustrates an example in which the control line 107 is in a bus format. The control line 107 between the signal control unit 122 of the signal control device 102 and the processor 101 is used for exchanging call control information as well as control information.

Next, a conventional ATM having the structure shown in FIG.
A transfer route of various information in the exchange will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram in which the devices involved in the communication between the subscriber terminals 9 are extracted from FIG. 17 and illustrated. In order to distinguish a plurality of illustrated devices, terminals, and the like, suffixes are added to the reference numerals of devices and the like in FIG. 18, but if it is not necessary to distinguish them, description of the suffix is omitted.

First, regarding the path of communication information, SIDE
# 0 communication device 103_-1The individual part 132 _-11Connected to
Subscriber terminal 9_-1(Hereinafter referred to as terminal A) is another individual unit
132 _-12Subscriber terminal 9 connected to_-2(Hereinafter, the terminal
The communication will be described as an example.

Terminal A calls to communicate with terminal B,
Required for the connection information (hereinafter, referred to as call control information) when transmitting the individual portions 132 _-11 communication device 103 _-1 sends the common unit 131 _-1 receives the call control information, the common unit 131 _{- 1} is VC
The connection information to the signal control unit 102 which is the transfer destination of the call control information indexed by C conversion unit 133 _-1, the channel set this connection information in the header portion of the cell of the call control information (not shown)
Send to 5a.

The connection information includes a virtual path identifier (VPI) for identifying a path (for example, a communication path number) to the signal control device 102 and a channel for transferring individual information in the path. Virtual channel identifier (VCI)
r) is included, the cell of the call control information is
BSGCCOM (common unit) 121 of the signal control device 102 via the ATM switch (SW) 4 according to the value of I / VCI.
, And then to one of the BSGCs connected to the subordinate of BSGCCOM121 (referred to as BSGC122, only one set is shown in FIG. 18). BSGC 122 sends this call control information to processor 101 via control line 107. In FIG. 18, the transfer route of the call control information is illustrated by a dotted arrow.

The processor 101 receives the call control information from the received call control information.
Control the ATM switch 4 and related devices, and
3_-1The individual part 132_-11To ATM switch 4, communication device
103 _-2The common part 131_-2Of the individual parts connected to
One (individual part 132_{-twenty one}Communication path to
Part 132_{-twenty one}Folded back in common part 131_-2, ATM switch
Chi 4, communication device 103_-1The common part 131_-1And individual part 132
_-12Set up a communication route to. In Fig. 18, from terminal A to end
The communication path to the end B is shown by a double-lined arrow,
The terminal A and the terminal B can communicate with each other via the route.
Note that the individual unit 132 in FIG._{-twenty one}, 132_{-twenty two}Folded communication path
A device with a function to return, such as LLP (Line Loop back)
Called.

Next, regarding the path of control information, the processor
101 is the communication device 103_-1The common part 131 _-1Control over
A case will be described as an example. As mentioned above, processor 101
And a control line 107 for transferring control information between
Although installed, the processor 101 may be, for example, a communication device 10
3_-1The common part 131_-1Ignite a lamp (not shown)
If so, the processor 101 controls the lamp ignition.
Control information via the control line 107 to the common unit 131_-1Send to.
Common part 131_-1Received this instruction, received the instruction
Information indicating that or the information indicating that the lamp is turned on
As control information of the response via the control line 107
Return to 101.

The control information and when controlling the device from the processor 101, not only when the device responds to this, for example, from the common portion 131 _-1 if a failure occurs in the common unit 131 _-1 Control information for notifying the occurrence of a failure is autonomously transmitted to the processor 101 via the control line 107. As described above, the control information includes the processor 101 and the communication device.
Controls the device with various devices mainly 103,
Although transmitted / received between devices when notifying failure information and statistical information, the AT of the prior art is used to transfer this control information.
In the M switch, a control line 107 is provided between the processor 101 and each of the common part and the individual part of many devices. However, the control line may not be set for a device having few control elements or a device having another route.

For example, when the individual units 132 _-21 and 132 _-22 of the communication device 103 _-2 are LLPs as shown in FIG. 18, it is necessary to exchange control information between the LLP and the processor 101 that simply folds back the communication path. The control line is not set because it is less flexible. If such is necessary any control to the individual unit, so as to control via the common unit 131 _-2.

Further, the processor 101 and the signal controller 102
A control line 107 for transferring a large amount of control information including call control information is provided between the individual unit (BSGC) 122 of the BSGC 122 and the common unit (BSGCCOM) 121.
Since the control information is directly transmitted and received between the two, the control information between the processor 101 and the BSGCCOM 121 is performed via the BSGC 122.
The control line between the processor 101 and the BSGCCOM 121 can be omitted.

FIG. 18 shows LLP 132 _-21 , 132 _-22 and BSGC.
Although an example is shown in which no control line is provided for the COM 121, a part of the transfer path of control information sent via the control line 107 is shown by a chain double-dashed line in the figure.

[0019]

As described above, in the conventional ATM switch, the control line is provided between the processor and various devices constituting the communication device, the signal control device, etc. for transferring the control information. Was provided. Although some of these devices can omit the control line, most of the communication devices (particularly, subscriber communication devices) have many types of control information, and thus the control line is essential. The number of these communication devices is extremely large, and they are frequently increased or decreased or accommodations are changed as new subscribers or lines are added or changed.
Each time, it was necessary to connect or remove the control line between the processor and each device.

Since the increase and decrease of the control lines requires careful attention not only when the control lines are installed one-to-one between the processor and the individual devices but also when they are connected in the bus form,
Not only does the number of wiring work steps for new installation of equipment increase, but construction work is complicated, so construction errors are likely to occur, and there is a possibility that service will be seriously hindered.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control information transfer method that does not require a control line dedicated to control information between a processor of an ATM exchange and a communication device.

[0022]

1 to 6 are explanatory views of the principle of a control information transfer method of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an ATM of the present invention.
It is a basic block diagram of an exchange.

In the figure, 1 is a processor for controlling an ATM exchange, 4 is an ATM switch (SW), and 3 is a communication path 5 respectively.
Connected to the ATM switch 4 via the communication path 5 and A
A plurality of communication devices 2 that communicate with each other via a TM switch 4 are connected to an ATM switch 4 via a communication path 5 and relay call control information exchanged between each communication device 3 and the processor 1. Alternatively, a plurality of signal control devices, 5a are communication paths (a plurality) set between the signal control device 2 or the communication device 3 and the ATM switch 4, and 5b are set between internal devices of the signal control device 2 or the communication device 3. Communication channels (plurality). Reference numeral 5 is a communication path including the communication path 5a and the communication path 5b (the communication path 5a and the communication path 5b may be collectively referred to as the communication path 5).

Reference numeral 6 is a virtual fixed connection path (hereinafter referred to as PVC: Permanent) which is set between each of the communication devices 3 and the signal control device 2 via the communication path 5 and the ATM switch 4.
Virtual channel), 7 is a signal path for exchanging control information between the processor 1 and the signal control device 2.

Reference numeral 10 denotes station data provided inside or outside the processor 1, in which station data in which accommodation position information of each communication device 3 and each signal control device 2 is recorded, and 26 is P for each communication device 3.
A plurality of ports in the signal control device 2 to which one end of the VC 6 is set, and 14 is a port management means for storing and managing the use status of the plurality of ports 26 for setting the PVC 6 in each signal control device 2 in the processor 1. Is.

Reference numeral 11 is provided in the processor 1 and stores station data.
The control information is transferred to the communication device 3 or the signal control device 2 to which each of the signal control device 2 or the communication device 3 is defined by using the accommodation position information of each communication device 3 and each signal control device 2 recorded in 10. Virtual channel connection (VCC: Virtual Channel Connection) that includes connection destination information necessary for
data) (hereinafter, the virtual channel connection data is VCC
(Hereinafter referred to as data), and when the PVC 6 is set between the communication device 3 and the port 26 in the signal control device 2, the signal control device 2 and the port for setting the PVC 6 via the port management means 14 26 between the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 by using the determined identification information of the signal control device 2 and the port 26 and the accommodation position information of the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 recorded in the station data 10. VCC for creating VCC data including connection destination information necessary for transferring control information
It is a data creation means.

12 and 13 are provided in the processor 1, and
Is a signal control device defined for each communication device 3 and each communication device by sending the VCC data created by the VCC data creating means 11 to the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 and storing it inside each device. A VCC data setting means for setting a PVC 6 for transferring control information between the two, and a signal path 7 and a signal 13 provided between the signal control device 2 and the control information which the processor 1 exchanges with the communication device 3. It is a control information transmitting / receiving unit that transmits / receives via the control device 2.

23 to 25 are provided in the signal control device 2,
Reference numeral 23 denotes VCC data used in the signal control device 2, 24 denotes VCC data sent from the VCC data setting means 12 of the processor in the signal control device, and control sent from the processor 1 to the communication device 3 is stored. When receiving information via the control information relaying means 25, information for instructing a connection destination is created by the VCC data, added to the control information, and transferred to the partner communication apparatus 3 via the PVC 6 Reference numeral 25 denotes a cell-shaped control information transmitted from the communication device 3 to the processor 1 by converting the control information received from the processor 1 through the signal path 7 into a cell and sending it to the communication device connection processing means 24. Is a control information relay means for assembling the control information in the non-cell format when it is received via the PVC 6 and then transferring it to the processor 1 via the signal path 7.

Reference numerals 31 to 34 are provided in the communication device 3, 31 and 32 are internal devices of the communication device 3, 33 is VCC data used in the communication device 3, and 34 is a VCC of the processor 1 in the communication device 3. When the VCC data sent from the data setting means 12 is stored and the control information to be sent to the processor 1 is received from the inside of the own communication device 3, the control information is made into a cell, and the information for instructing the connection destination by the VCC data is stored. It is a signal processing unit connection processing means for creating and adding to the control information that has been made into cells and transmitting it to the partner signal control device 2 via the PVC 6.

Reference numeral 81 is cellized control information transferred via the PVC 6, 82 is connection destination instruction information added to the cellized control information 81 to instruct the connection destination of the control information 81, and 8 is cellized. It is a control information cell configured by adding connection destination instruction information 82 to the generated control information 81.

1 to 6, when there are a plurality of devices, communication paths or means of the same type, suffixes are added to the symbols to identify the individual devices, communication paths or means, but it is complicated. Therefore, the suffix is omitted in the above description. Also, in the following description, the suffix is omitted when it is not necessary to distinguish individual devices or when the devices are collectively referred to.

The operation of the control information transfer method and the ATM switch according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in the principle explanatory diagram of FIG. 1, the control information transfer method of the present invention includes a communication device 3 to a communication path 5 to an ATM switch 4 to a communication path for transmitting and receiving control information between the communication device 3 and the processor 1. 5 to PVC6 in the path of the signal controller 2
When a (virtual partner fixed connection path) is set and the control information is transmitted from the communication device 3 to the processor 1, the control information is made into cells and sent to the PVC 6, and the signal control device 2 which receives this transmits the signal path. Control information is transferred to the processor 1 via 7. When the control information is transmitted from the processor 1 to the communication device 3, the control information is transmitted in the opposite direction.

In the ATM exchange shown in FIG. 1, when communication is performed between two communication devices 3, as shown by a double line in the figure, the communication device 3 to the communication path 5 to the ATM switch 4 to.
Communication information is transmitted and received through the communication path 5 to the communication device 3, but in FIG. 1, the control information is also transmitted to the communication path 5 and the ATM as described above.
Since it is transferred via the switch 4, a dedicated control line for transferring control information between the communication device 3 and the processor 1 is not set.

FIG. 2 shows the procedure of the control information transfer method of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, the PVC 6 is set between the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2,
The setting of the PVC 6 is specifically a V which fixedly designates the transfer destination of the control information in the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2.
Setting the CC data. Therefore, the communication device 3
And when the VCC data is set in the signal control device 2, P
The setting of the VC 6 is completed, and thereafter, the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 transfer the control information to the partner device by using this VCC data.

Therefore, according to the control information transfer method of the present invention, the VCC stored in the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 is stored.
Process of creating data, process of setting created VCC data in communication device 3 and signal control device 2, set V
Three processes, that is, a process of transferring control information using CC data, are performed. Hereinafter, each process will be described on the premise of the configuration of FIG. 1, and the reference numerals of the steps of FIG. 2 corresponding to the description content are shown in parentheses.

VCC is executed in steps S10 to S12 of FIG.
The process of creating data is shown. As described above, the VCC data is for setting the PVC 6. For that purpose, the accommodation position information of the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 to which the PVC 6 is set is recorded in the station data.
As the accommodation position information, for example, information for identifying the communication path 5 in which the communication device 3 or the signal control device 2 is accommodated is used (details will be described later).

When the creation of the VCC data is started with the new addition of the communication device 3 (S10 in FIG. 2), the processor 1 first determines a signal control device capable of setting the PVC 6 by an appropriate method ( Details will be described later), and the accommodation position information of the communication device and the signal control device for which the PVC is to be set is read from the station data (S11). Next, the processor creates VCC data including connection destination information necessary for the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 which intend to set the PVC using the read accommodation position information to transfer the control information to the partner device. . Therefore, the VCC data is the signal control device 2
VCC data for communication device set in the communication device and communication device 3
Two types of signal control device VCC data to be set are created (S12).

When the creation of the VCC data is completed, the processor starts the setting process of the VCC data (S20), sends the VCC data for the communication device to the signal control device 2 by an appropriate method and stores it therein (S21). , VCC for signal control device
The data is sent to the communication device 3 and stored therein (S
twenty two) . By storing the two types of VCC data, the PVC is set between the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 (S23).

The control information transfer process is performed when it is necessary to transmit control information from the processor 1 to the communication device 3 or from the communication device 3 to the processor 1 (S30). For example, when control information to be transmitted from the processor 1 to the communication device 3 is generated (S31), the processor 1 sends the control information to the signal control device 2, and the signal control device 2 converts the control information into cells and stores it inside. VC for communication device
Connection destination instruction information is created using C data, added to the cellized control information, and sent to the communication path 5 (S32). This cellized control information is transferred to the communication device 3 of the other party according to the connection destination instruction information, but this transfer is transferred via the PVC 6. Similarly, the control information in the reverse direction is transferred from the communication device 3 to the signal control device 2, and the content of the control information is sent from the signal control device 2 which has received the control information cell to the processor 1.

FIG. 3 shows the principle of the method of instructing the connection destination when the control information is transferred to the partner device in the control information transfer method of the present invention. Only an example of sending control information to the figure is shown. In FIG. 3, the two signal control devices 2 _-1 , 2 _-2 (each of which is referred to as a signal control device I and a signal control device J) are provided with communication channels 5 _-21 to which the numbers "i" and "j" are _{assigned, respectively.} , 5
_-22 (each of which is referred to as communication path #i and communication path #j), the "i" and "j" correspond to the accommodation position information of the signal control device I and the signal control device J, respectively. .

As described in FIG. 2, the VCC data is created by using the accommodation position information of the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 stored in the station data, but in FIG. Tag information (which constitutes a part of the connection destination instruction information described above) is created and stored in the VCC data. Communication device 3 _{-1 in} FIG. 3 (denoted as communication device A)
Suppose that the PVC 6 _-1 is set for the signal control device I, and the other communication device 3 _-2 (referred to as communication device B) sets the PVC 6 _-2 for the signal control device J. The accommodating position information "i" of the signal control device I is set as tag information in the VCC data 33 _-1 of the communication device B, and the accommodating position information "j" of the signal control device J is included in the VCC data 33 _-2 of the communication device B. Set as information.

When the communication device A transmits the control information to the processor 1 in this state, the control information 81 _-1 in the form of cells is formed.
By adding a destination instruction information 82 _-1 will be sent to the communication path 5 ₁₁ (referred to as channel #a), this time, the destination instruction information 82
_The tag information "i" set in the VCC data 33 _-1 is set in _-1 . A cell (hereinafter, referred to as a control information cell) 8 _-1 in which the connection destination instruction information 82 _-1 is added to the _cellized control information 81 _-1 indicates that the connection destination is the communication path #i due to the tag = i. Since it is shown, the route is selected in the ATM switch 4 and then transmitted to the communication route #i, and the signal control device I
To be received. Similarly, since the control information transmitted from the communication device B is added with the connection destination instruction information 82 _{-2 in} which the tag information "j" is set, the control information cell 8 _-2 is connected to the communication path 5 _-12 (communication path #b). Signal) to the signal control device J via the communication path j. The signal controller I or J sends the received contents of the control information cell 8 _-1 or 8 _-2 to the signal path 7 _-1 or 7 respectively.
Send to processor 1 via _-2 .

The above is the case of transmitting control information from the communication device 3 to the processor 1 via the signal control device 2.
When transmitting control information from the processor 1 to the communication device 3 via the signal control device 2, the VCC data (not shown) set in the signal control device 2 is used and transferred to the communication device 3 in the same manner as above. To do. In this case, the number "a" or "b" of the communication path #a or the communication path #b corresponding to the accommodation position information of the communication device A or the communication device B is set in the tag information.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the principle of the method of setting the PVC for each of the plurality of ports 26 of the signal control device 2 and transferring the control information. As described with reference to FIG. 3, in the control information transfer method of the present invention, the PVC 6 is set between each of the communication devices 3 and the signal control device 2, but the signal control device 2 is commonly used for many communication devices 3. Since it is a device to be used, it is usually impossible to set the PVC 6 in a one-to-one relationship with each of the large number of communication devices 3. Therefore, a plurality of ports 26 are provided in each signal control device 2, and each communication device 3 has a plurality of ports 26 in the signal control device 2.
Set PVC for one of the above.

The two communication channels 5 _-21 to number "i" and "j" is assigned in Fig. 4, each of 5 _-22 (respectively referred to as channel #i and channel #j) , Which are respectively numbered "L" and "M", and which are connected to the signal control devices 2 _-1 , 2 _-2 (each referred to as signal control device #L and signal control device #M) having a plurality of ports 26 Although the illustrated example is illustrated, r, s, t, u, ...
.. is the number of each port (the port of the signal control device #M is not shown).

When the signal control device 2 having a plurality of ports is used, a plurality of communication devices 3 can set PVC for the same signal control device 2. 2 in FIG.
The two communication devices 3 _-1 , 3 _-2 (each of which is referred to as communication device A and communication device B) are PVC6 for the same signal control device #L.
In this example, the communication device A is PVC 6 ₋₁ for port r and the communication device B is PVC for port u.
The figure shows a state where 6 _-2 is set.

The definitive Similarly, when the processor 1 in FIG. 3 sets the respective communication device A and the communication device B VCC data 33 _-1 and VCC data 33 _-2, but VCC data 33 _-1 and VCC data 33 within _-2 Sets tag information as connection destination information necessary for transmitting control information to the processor 1 via the signal control device #L. 4 is based on the premise that FIG. 3 is also used, and the tag information setting method is the same as that in FIG. 3, but in the case of FIG. 4, the partner signal control devices 2 of the communication device A and the communication device B are the same. Therefore, as the tag information, the number "i" of the communication path #i in which the signal control device #L is accommodated is set.

By setting this tag information in the connection destination instruction information in the control information cell 8, the control information sent from the communication device A and the communication device B is both signal control device #L.
However, PVC6 _-1 and PVC6 _-2 are virtual connection paths and are not physically connected to port r or port u. Therefore, even if the signal control device #L receives two control information cells 8 _-1 and 8 _{-2 in} which the same tag information “i” is set from the same communication path #i, the signal control device #L can determine which port they are for. I cannot know if it was sent. In other words, the communication device 3 which is the transmission source of the received control information cells 8 _-1 , 8 _-2 cannot be identified.

Therefore, in FIG. 4, PV is stored in the VCC data 33.
Information for identifying the signal control apparatus 2 of the PVC 6 setting destination and information for identifying the signal control apparatus 2 of the PVC 6 setting destination
The information for identifying the internal port is set, and the information is included in the connection destination instruction information 82 of the control information cell 8. Specifically, VPI and VCI are used, and the signal control device 2 is used for VPI.
The port number in the signal control device 2 is set to VCI, which is information for identifying the.

In the example of FIG. 4, PVC6 _-1 and PVC6 _-2
Since both of the signal control devices 2 of the setting destinations are the signal control device #L, the VPI values set in the VCC data 33 _-1 and 33 _-2 are both "L", but the VCI value is Since they are different, the VCC data 33 _-1 of the communication device A becomes "r" and the VCC data 33 _-2 of the communication device B becomes "u". By setting this value in the connection destination instruction information 82 of the control information cell 8, the signal control device #L receives the control information cell 8 _-1 ,
It is possible to identify which port _8-2 is addressed to.

In the case of FIG. 4, since the signal control device #L is specified by the tag information "i", the signal control device #L is identified.
Although it is possible to identify the setting destination of the PVC 6 without setting the number "L" of VPI to VPI, if the signal control device 2 is composed of a plurality of internal devices and it is difficult to identify the internal device only by the tag information. It is possible to specify in detail the device to which the PVC 6 is set. Further, since it is not preferable to set only the VCI and omit the setting of the VPI in order to unify the processing in the ATM switch, from this viewpoint also, the identification information of the signal control device 2 as shown in FIG. 4 is set to the VPI. That makes sense.

FIG. 5 shows the control information transfer method of the present invention.
The control information is sent from the signal control device through a plurality of internal devices.
The principle of the method of instructing the connection destination when transmitting to the communication device is shown.
is doing. The communication device 3 of FIG. 5 has a plurality of internal devices.
However, in the figure, the inside of the communication device 3 is a subordinate of a set of internal devices 31.
Multiple internal devices in 32_-1~ 32_-nIt has a two-stage configuration in which
The following shows an example. In case of 2-stage configuration, ATM switch
The communication path 5a between the switch 4 and the communication device 3 is connected to the internal device 31.
Followed by internal device 31 and multiple internal devices 32._-1~ 32 _-nBetween
Is a separate communication path 5b_-1~ 5b_-nIs set. Na
It is assumed that the method of FIG. 5 is also used with FIG.
It

In the configuration of FIG. 5, the control information is the signal control device 2
Besides being exchanged between the apparatus 31 of the communication device 3, it is exchanged in between each of the signal control device 2 and the internal unit 32 _-1 to 32 _-n. The number of the communication path 5a connected to the internal device 31 is "i", and two internal devices 32 _-1 and 32 _-n (each of which is an internal device 31 (denoted as internal device # 0)) Communication path 5b _-1 between device # 1 and internal device #N)
And 5b- _n are "j" and "k" respectively,
In the VCC data for the internal device # 1 and the internal device #N in the VCC data 23 set in the signal control device 2, the tag information = i, which is the accommodation position information of the internal device # 0, and the internal device in the communication device 3 are included. Two of the accommodating position information of # 1 or internal device #N, that is, tag information = j or tag information = k, is set. In Figure 5, when setting two tag information,
It is noted that tag information = i + j or tag information = i + k.

In the case of the internal device # 0, since the communication path 5b in the communication device 3 is not used, the tag information of the VCC data 23 shows the communication path 5a which is the accommodation position of the internal device # 0 as shown in FIG.
Although the tag information = i is described by using only the number “i” of the above, it is more practical to indicate that the communication path 5b is not used by “0” and set the tag information = i + 0 (see the embodiment). .

Further, in the transfer method of FIG. 5, information for identifying the model in advance for the internal devices 31, 32 of the communication device 3 (hereinafter,
Device type information or simply referred to as device type) is added. The device type information is, for example, the internal device 31 corresponding to the common part.
, “C”, and “E” commonly for a plurality of internal devices 32 corresponding to individual parts.

When the control information is transferred in the cell format, it is necessary to include the VPI / VCI in the connection destination instruction information. However, in the method of FIG. 5, a fixed value common to all the communication devices 3 (in the figure, Is indicated by "Z") to VPI, and VC
The device type information defined in the communication device of the connection destination is set in I. Therefore, the VC set in the signal control device 2
In the C data 23, as shown in the drawing, the value of VPI / VCI is set together with the tag information for each internal device of the communication device 3 of the connection destination.

The VPI / VCI setting method as described above does not require cumbersome management for avoiding duplication with the VPI / VCI value used by the subscriber, and for example, the communication path #j of FIG. When j is “0” (j = 0), even if the tag information for the internal device # 0 is designated as “i + 0”, this control information is transmitted to the internal device # 1 connected to the communication path #j. There is a feature that it can be easily identified that it is not sent.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the principle of a signal control device for setting a PVC and a port selection method. In FIG. 4, when the PVC is set, the PVC 6 is set between one of the plurality of ports of the signal control device and the communication device. FIG. 6 shows a method of selecting the signal control device and the port. Has been done. Hereinafter, the principle will be described with reference to FIG. 6, but the reference numerals of the respective devices are the same as those shown in FIG. 4 (however, the suffix is omitted). Note that the reference numerals of the corresponding steps in FIG. 6 are described in parentheses.

In the method of FIG. 6, the use statuses of the plurality of ports 26 of each signal control device 2 are recorded in advance so that the processor 1 can manage them. When the PVC 6 needs to be newly set between the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2, the processor 1 starts selecting the port 26 (S40),
First, the presence / absence of a free port is confirmed by referring to the usage status record of the port 26 of the signal control device 2 (S41, S42).

When there are a plurality of signal control devices 2 having free ports, one of the signal control devices 2 having the largest number of free ports is selected by an appropriate method (S43), and the selected signal control device 2 is selected. PV one of the free ports in the
C6 is set as the port to set, and the port
The status of the corresponding port being recorded in the usage status of 26 is changed to the busy status, and the selection of the port ends (S44, S45). If there is no free port when it is confirmed whether there is a free port, the maintenance person or the like is informed that there is no free port and the PVC cannot be set (S42 → S45).

In the method of FIG. 6, even if the number of communication devices 3 is increased or decreased and the number of ports 26 used in each signal control device 2 varies, the number of available ports is the largest when a new port 26 is selected. Since the port is selected from the signal control device 2, the number of PVCs set for each signal control device 2 is averaged and load imbalance does not occur.

FIG. 7 is a basic block diagram of the ATM switch of the present invention. Since its operation has many parts overlapping with the functional description of each means described above and the description of FIGS. 1 to 6,
Avoid duplication and explain.

In FIG. 7, a control line corresponding to the control line 107 dedicated to control information (see FIG. 17) described in the prior art is not installed in the communication device 3, but a route through which the processor 1 transmits and receives control information. As a result, the signal path 7 is installed only between the processor 1 and the signal control device 2. The processor 1 sets the PVC 6 between the newly added communication device 3 and the signal control device 2 when the system is installed or when the number of communication devices is increased or decreased.
First, the VCC data creation means 11 obtains the accommodation position information of the related signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 from the station data 10 and creates the VCC data (the creation method is omitted). In this case, if the PVC 6 is set to the port 26 in the signal control device 2, the port in the signal control device 2 is recorded by using the port management means 14 that records and manages the usage status of the port for each signal control device. (See Fig. 6 for the selection method).

When the VCC data is created, the VCC data setting means 12 sets the VCC data in the corresponding device. For example, when the VCC data is set in the signal control device 2, the processor 1 sends the VCC data to the signal control device 2 via the signal path 7 and stores it in the communication device connection processing means 24. In addition, the VCC data is transmitted to the communication device 3
To set to 1, the processor 1 sends the VCC data to be set to the signal control device 2 which stores the VCC data for the communication device 3 via the signal path 7, and the signal control device 2 outputs the same. Communication device connection processing means 24
VCC set using the VCC data stored in
Information for designating a data connection destination is created and sent to the communication path 5. This VCC data is sent to the communication device 3 via the ATM switch 4 and the other communication path 5 and stored in the signal control device connection processing means 34 in the communication device 3.

After the VCC data is set in each device,
For example, when the control information is transmitted from the processor 1 to one of the communication devices 3, the processor 1 transmits a signal from the control information transmitting / receiving means 13 via the signal path 7 to store the VCC data for the communication device 3. Control data is sent to the control device 2. The control information relay means 25 of the signal control device 2 converts this control information into cells and sends them to the communication device connection processing means 24. The communication device connection processing means 24 uses the internally stored VCC data to create information indicating the connection destination, adds the information to the cellized control information, and sends it to the communication path 5. This control information cell is sent to the destination communication device 3 via the ATM switch 4 and the other communication path 5. The transfer route of this control information is shown in the figure by a thin dotted line (between the processor 1 and the signal control device 2) and a thick dotted line (the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3).
(Between), the thick dotted line part corresponds to PVC6.

On the other hand, when the control information is transmitted from the communication device 3 to the processor 1, the control signal connection processing means 34 in the communication device 3 converts the control information into cells and adds the connection destination instruction information. It is sent to the communication path 5. This control information cell is sent to the signal control device 2 via the ATM switch 4 and the other communication path 5, assembled in the control information relay means 25 into non-cell type control information, and then the processor 1 via the signal path 7. Is sent to the control information transmitting / receiving means 13. This transfer path includes a two-dot chain line (between the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2) and a thin dotted line (in the communication device 3 and the signal control device 2).
And between the processors 1), the part of the chain double-dashed line corresponds to the PVC 6. When the signal control device 2 has a plurality of ports 26, as shown in FIG.
The signal controller 2 side of the VC 6 is set for each port 26.

As described above, in the device on the side of transmission, for example, the signal control device 2 when transmitting from the processor 1 to the communication device 3, or the communication device 3 when transmitting from the communication device 3 to the processor 1, Connection destination instruction information is created using the VCC data set in the communication device connection processing means 24 or the signal control device connection processing means 34, added to the control information, and sent to the partner device.

Since the control information is transferred through the communication path 5 and the ATM switch 4, that is, the path used for communication in the ATM switch having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the control information is dedicated to each of the plurality of communication devices 3. No need to set control lines.

[0069]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 8 is a model diagram of an ATM exchange apparatus accommodation according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9 to 11 are block diagrams of station data according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 14 is a block diagram of the VCC data of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the control information cell of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the ATM switch of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is of the embodiment of the present invention. It is an information transfer route explanatory drawing of an ATM exchange.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same objects, 1 is a processor, 2 is a signal control device 2, 3 is a communication device, 4 is an ATM switch (SW), and 5a and 5b are communication paths (5a
Is NHW, 5b is SHW), 6 is PVC, 7 is signal path, 9
Is a subscriber terminal, 10 is station data, 11 is a VCC data creating unit, 12 is a VCC data setting unit, 13 is a control information transmitting / receiving unit,
14 is a port management unit.

Reference numerals 21 and 22 are internal devices of the signal controller 2.
Reference numeral 21 is a BSGCCOM (common unit), 22 is a BSCG (individual unit), and 24 is a communication device connection processing unit provided in the BSGCCOM 21. Reference numeral 23 is VCC data set in the communication device connection processing unit 24, 25 and 26 are provided in the BSGC 22, 25 is a control information relay unit, and 26 is a port. 31 and
32 is an internal device of the communication device 3, 31 is a common device (common part), and 32 is a circuit (individual part). 33 and 34 are common equipment
Reference numeral 34 denotes a signal processing unit connection processing unit, which is provided in 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes VCC data set in the signal control unit connection processing unit 34.

In order to distinguish a plurality of devices or communication paths of the same type described in the same drawing, some suffixes are added to the above symbols in the drawings. The reference numerals are omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a model for accommodating an ATM exchange used for explaining the embodiment of the control information transfer method according to the present invention. First, FIG. 8 will be explained. In FIG. 8, in order to avoid making the drawing complicated, the illustration of devices or communication paths not used in the description is simplified or omitted. Further, although some devices or communication paths are not described with reference numerals, a plurality of communication paths and various devices are numbered like #n, so that the same type of device is used. Alternatively, no suffix is added to distinguish the communication paths. In the following description, when referring to individual devices or communication paths, the numbers “#n” described in the drawing will be added to the names of the communication paths and the devices instead of the reference numerals.

The ATM switch 4 of FIG. 8 has both sides (SIDE
16 communication channels 5a each for # 0 and SIDE # 1)
(Although also referred to as NHW5a, it is referred to as NHW # 0, ... NHW # 15 when referring to individual NHW5a), but for convenience, both SIDE # 0 and SIDE # 1 have NHW #
The signal control device 2 is accommodated in 0 to # 3, and the communication device 3 is accommodated in the NHWs # 4 to # 15 on both sides as appropriate. In the figure, signal controllers # 1 and # 2 are attached to NHW # 0 of both SIDEs.
Are accommodated, and communication devices # 0 to # 3 and SI are installed in SIDE # 0.
The state where the communication devices # 4 to # 7 are accommodated in the DE # 1 is illustrated.

Each of the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 comprises one set of common parts and a plurality of sets (up to eight sets) of individual parts. The signal control device 2 has a common part as in the configuration of the prior art. BSGCCOM and individual part are referred to as BSGC. A unique name is given to each of the common unit and the individual unit of the communication device 3, but in FIG. 8, the common unit is described as a “common device” and the individual unit is described as a “circuit” without using a specific name. In addition, the signal control device 2, the communication device 3, the BSGCCOM21,
The BSGC 22, the common device 31, and the circuit 32 are collectively referred to as “device”, the BSGCCOM 21 and the common device 31 are collectively referred to as “common unit”, and the BSGC 22 and the circuit 32 are collectively referred to as “individual unit”. .

A communication path 5b (also referred to as SHW5b) between the common part and the individual part is used. When referring to the individual SHW5b, SHW # 0,
... SHW # 7). Up to 8 individual units can be connected under the common unit, so each NHW
Up to eight SHWs 5b will be connected under each 5a, but for convenience of explanation, only two BSGC22s are connected to each of the two BSGCCOMs 21, and the communication device 3
It is assumed that eight sets of circuits 32 are all connected to the common device 31 of FIG.

Below, the BSCG of the signal controller # 0 of FIG.
When the PVC 6 is set between the common device # 6 of the communication device # 6 and the communication device # 6 (the same number is assigned to the communication device 3 and the internal common device 31 for convenience of explanation) and the control information is transferred. An embodiment of a control information transfer method according to the present invention will be described mainly. The description will be given for each operation step with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16 on the premise of the configuration of FIG. 8, but the description of the portions overlapping with the already described content will be omitted. [Creation of station data] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an embodiment of the configuration of station data used in the control information transfer method and ATM exchange according to the present invention. 9A shows the basic form of the station data, but as shown in the figure, the station data is the device mounting information shown in FIG. 9A for various devices, that is, the part that records whether or not the device is mounted. And (a-2) to (a-4) device information, that is, a part for recording the individual information of the installed device, the latter in (a-2) or (a-4) As shown, information indicating the type of higher-level device of the device, the number of the higher-level device, information indicating the type of lower-level device, the number of the lower-level device, and information indicating the accommodation position of the device are recorded. As the accommodation position information, the number of the communication path 5 (NHW5a or SHW5b) in which the device is accommodated is used.

FIG. 10B shows a common part (B) of the signal control device.
SGCCOM) SID of FIG. 8 as an example of station data
7 illustrates station data of BSGCCOM # 0 accommodated in E # 0. Since the signal controller 2 is mounted only on NHW # 0 of SIDE # 0 in FIG. 8 as a premise, only the mounting position # 0 (upper left corner) is set as station data as shown in (b-1) of FIG. It is recorded that the device is mounted on the device (described as "implementation" in the figure). Note that, in (b-1), the mounting positions # 4 to # 7 are not used because the signal control device 2 is housed in only four NHW # 0 to NHW # 3.

After (b-2) in FIG. 10, mounting positions # 0 to # 3 are set.
The information of the BSGCCOM21 installed in is recorded, but in this example, only the information of the BSGCCOM # 0 shown in (b-1) is recorded. The upper device of BSGCCOM # 0 is A
Since it becomes the TM switch (SW) 4, “SW” is recorded in the column of the upper device type of, but when the upper device is an ATM switch, a plurality of sets of switches are not provided (redundant configuration is excluded. Therefore, it is not recorded in the higher device number. Since the subordinate device of BSGCCOM # 0 becomes BSGC, "BSGC" is recorded. As shown in FIG. 8, BSGC is placed under BSGCCOM # 0.
If only two sets # 0 and # 1 are connected (BSGC # 2 and below shown by dotted lines in the figure are not mounted), “# 0 to # 1” is recorded in Yes (actually, there will be more columns for lower-level devices, but for convenience, enter them in one column,
Also, in order to avoid confusion with other symbols, the numbers are attached with #. The same applies to other data). The accommodating position information of the communication path 5a accommodating BSGCCOM # 0
The information for identifying the BSG is recorded, but as shown in FIG.
Since CCOM # 0 is connected to NHW # 0, "NHW # 0" is recorded in (b-2) of FIG. BSGCC
Since OM # 1 and below are not implemented, there is no record as in (b-3).

Next, the station data of the BSGC 22 will be described with reference to FIG. Although eight sets of BSGC22 can be mounted in BSGCCOM # 0, since only two sets of BSGC22 are mounted in FIG. 8, the device mounting information has mounting positions # 0 and # as shown in (c-1). It is recorded that only one BSGC22 is installed. Also, BSGC # 0
And BSGC # 1 have the same conditions except the accommodation position,
As for the device information, as shown in (c-2) and (c-3), both are “BSGCCOM” of the upper device and the upper BSGCC.
The OM number is "# 0". Since the lower devices are not connected to both BSGCs, and are blank. As is clear from FIG. 8, the accommodation position of BSGC # 0 is "SH
W # 0 ”and BSGC # 1 become“ SHW # 1 ”.

Next, station data of the communication device 3 will be described. From the above assumption, the SIDE of the ATM switch 4 of FIG.
A maximum of 12 sets of communication devices 3 can be mounted on NHW # 4 to NHW # 15 of # 0 and SIDE # 1, respectively.
It is assumed that DE # 0 is equipped with communication devices # 1 to # 3, and SIDE # 1 is equipped with eight sets of communication devices 3 of communication devices # 4 to # 7. Of these, the communication device of SIDE # 1 #
4, # 5, # 6 and # 7 are NHW # 4, # 7,
It is assumed that eight sets of circuits 32 are connected to each of the common devices 31 connected to # 13 and # 15.
The station data of the communication device 3 of SIDE # 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

Based on the above premise, the common device of SIDE # 1
As shown in (d-1) of FIG. 11, the device mounting information of the station data of 31 includes the mounting positions # 0, # 3, # 9 and 12 among the 12 mounting positions corresponding to NHW # 4 to NHW # 15. Common equipment for # 11
It is recorded that 32 is implemented. Of these, the device information of the common device # 6 mounted in the mounting position # 9 is shown in (d-3), but the content is clear as shown in FIG. , Are “circuits”, are “# 60 to # 67”, and are “NHW # 13”. Illustration and description of the device information of the other common devices # 4, # 5, and # 7 are omitted.

Next, station data of a circuit connected to the lower order of the above common device # 6 will be described with reference to FIG. On the assumption that eight sets of circuits # 60 to # 67 are mounted on the common device # 6, it is recorded in the device (circuit) mounting information column that all the devices are in the mounted state as shown in (e-1). In the device (circuit) information of the circuit # 60, as shown in (e-2), "common device" is recorded in the upper device type of, "# 6" is recorded in the upper device number of, and the lower device is connected. Since it has not been set, the lower device number with the lower device type is blank. Also, circuit # 60
Is stored in SHW # 0, the storage position is "S
HW # 0 ”. The circuit # 67 is the same as the circuit # 60 except that the accommodation position is "SHW # 7". Illustration and description of the other circuits # 61 to # 66 are omitted. [Creation of VCC data] Next, common device # 6 and BS in FIG.
An embodiment of a method of creating VCC data for setting the PVC 6 between the GC # 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 and FIG. As described above, the VCC data is data necessary for designating the connection destination of the control information, and is created by the processor for each device by using the station data and becomes a transmission side common unit (BSGCCOM21 of the signal control device 2). Alternatively, it is stored in the common device 31) of the communication device 3 and used.

FIG. 12A shows a basic form of VCC data. The VCC data is originally for converting the incoming VPI / incoming VCI set in the header part of the ATM cell input to the ATM switch into the outgoing VPI / outgoing VCI for the outgoing route. The VCC data also defines the input VPI / input VCI and the output VPI / output VCI. Therefore, the input VPI / input VCI of FIG. 12A is the VPI set in the cell of the control information input to the common part.
/ VCI and output VPI / output VCI correspond to VPI / VCI added to the cell of the control information output from the common part.
In the present invention, the VCC data dedicated to control information is used in a slightly different manner (details will be described later). In addition, the tag (TA
G) Information is information set in the connection destination instruction unit added to the cell of the control information to be transmitted as described above, and the accommodation position information of the destination device is set.

In FIG. 8, a communication device # 6 is newly installed, and each of the common device # 6 and the circuits # 60 to # 67 constituting this communication device # 6 and B of the signal control device 2 of SIDE # 0.
The PVC 6 that transfers control information to and from the SGC 22 is set. Although the creation and setting of the VCC data corresponds to a concrete operation of setting the PVC, the BSGC 22 for setting the PVC is selected prior to the creation of the VCC data.

First, the processor (not shown in FIG. 8)
Free BSGC that can set PVC with common device # 6 newly installed among multiple BSGCs
Select. However, as described above, the BSGC 22 has a one-to-one PV relationship with each of the common device 31 and the circuit 32 in the communication device 3.
It is rare to set C, and it is normal to set a PVC to one of a plurality of ports (for example, 256 ports) provided inside each BSGC 22. In that case, each BSG
The processor selects a BSGC 22 having an empty port by using a port management table (not shown in FIG. 8) in which the use statuses of a plurality of ports included in the C 22 are recorded.

In FIG. 8, one set of BSGCC is set in SIDE # 0.
The OM # 0 is accommodated and two BSGC # 0 and BSGC # 1 are provided under the OM # 0. However, when both BSGCs have free ports, the processor selects the BSGC22 with many free ports. Then, one of the free ports in the BSGC 22 is set. As a result, BSGC # 1 is set as BSGC22 for setting the PVC for common device # 6.
Is selected, and the second port in BSGC # 1 (hereinafter referred to as port P2) is selected as the port. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the ports P3 to P10 in the same BSGC # 1 are selected for the circuits # 61 to # 67. When the above selection is completed, the processor
Start creating C data.

FIG. 12B shows a BSG as a BSGC 22 for setting a PVC for the common device # 6 of the communication device # 6.
3 illustrates an example of the VCC data (corresponding to the VCC data for communication device in FIG. 2) set in the BSGCCOM # 0 that is the common part of the BSGC # 1 when the port P2 of the C # 1 is selected. Specifically, the data is required when the BSGC # 1 of FIG. 8 transmits control information to each of the common device # 6 and the circuits # 60 to # 67 in the communication device # 6.

FIG. 12B-1 shows a VC for the common device # 6.
C data is shown. The control information transmitted from the processor to the common device # 6 is transmitted via the BSGC # 1 as shown in FIG.
It is sent by the route of PVC6 indicated by the thick double-dashed line in Fig. 12, but in order to transfer in this way, the VC of (b-1) in Fig. 12 is sent.
The C data is set so that the connection destination can be designated by identifying the BSGC 22 that is the transmission source of the information. For this reason,
SHW # 1 in which the BSGC # 1 is stored in the incoming VPI as information for identifying the BSGC # 1 that is the transmission source of the control information
Of the port P2 that transmits the control information is set to the incoming VCI.

Before explaining the outgoing VPI / outgoing VCI, the tag information will be described. As the tag information, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the accommodation position information of the transmission destination device, specifically, the identification information (number) of the communication path to which the device is connected is set.
In the case of (b-1), since the destination device is the common device # 6 in FIG. 8, the accommodation position information is “NHW # 13”, but the processor is the common device shown in (d-3) in FIG. It is confirmed from the station data of # 6 that the accommodating position of the common device # 6 is “NHW # 13”.

The accommodation position of the common device # 6 is "NHW # 13".
There is also a method of setting the number "13" of "NHW # 13" as it is in the tag information of the VCC data when it is confirmed that it is, but other methods are described in FIG. 8 and FIG. In this method, as shown in FIG.
Both E # 0 and SIDE # 1 are divided into four parts, and the first tag information (hereinafter, referred to as TAGA) is set in which part of the divided four parts the destination device is accommodated. The second tag information (hereinafter, referred to as TAGB) is set as to which communication channel 5a in the divided portion is accommodated.

In the case of FIG. 8, each SI is set in the ATM switch 4.
Since the DE accommodates 16 communication paths (NHW) 5a, each communication path 5a is included in the same TAGA. Therefore, four TAs from "0" to "3" are under each TAGA.
GB is set. Since the above-mentioned common device # 6 is housed in the NHW # 13, the tag information is "3" in TAGA (hereinafter referred to as TAGA = 3), TAGB.
Is set to "1" (TAGB = 1). The correspondence between the NHW number and the TAGA is written in the ATM switch 4 of FIG. 8, and the TAGB value of the NHW 5a is written in parentheses under the number of each NHW 5a.

As described above, "TAGA = 3" and "TAGB = 1" are set in the TAG information in (b-1) of FIG. 12B. In the TAGC of the TAG information, the identification information of the communication path 5b between the common part and the individual part of each device, specifically, the number of SHW5b in FIG. 8 is set, but the destination of the control information is the common device # 6 itself. In some cases, there is no need to send control information to SHW5b, so TAGC is not set. Therefore, although TAGC = 0 is described in (b-1) of FIG. 12, TAGC = NUL may be set by using NUL meaning blank. T
When AGC = 0, it seems to be confused with the identification information SHW # 0 of the communication path 5c for the circuit # 60, but it can be identified by the output VCI information described later.

Next, the output VPI and the output VCI will be described. Originally, the outgoing VPI and outgoing VCI are information for designating a route and a channel for transmitting information to the partner device, but since the route to the partner device is designated by the tag information as described above, in the present invention, the outgoing VPI is used. The outgoing VCI is used to set other information. In the embodiment, when the BSGCCOM 21 sends the control information, a preset fixed value (for example, "0") is set in the output VPI, and a preset fixed value (corresponding to the model type of the other communication device is set in the output VCI ( For example, "3F
C ”) is set. The model type is, for example, such that a common part and an individual part are identified, and a fixed number (for example, three types) is set. In FIG. 12, “3FC” for the common device 31 and “3FE” for the circuit (individual part) 32
Shows an example of setting.

FIG. 12B-2 shows VCC data for transmitting control information from the BSGC # 1 to the circuit # 60 which is one of the individual units of the communication device # 6. Assuming that the port P3 (not shown in FIG. 8) is selected for the circuit # 60 based on the above assumption, the VCC data for the circuit # 60 set in the BSGCCOM # 0 is set to the input VPI (b -1) same as "1" (input VPI = 1), set port P3 number "3" (input VCI = 3) to input VCI, and output VP
The same fixed value “0” (output VPI = 0) for I and (b-1), output V
A predetermined fixed value “3FE” is set for the individual unit 32 of the communication device 3 in CI.

Next, the tag information is set, and the accommodation position required for setting the tag information is obtained as follows. First, the figure
It is confirmed from the station data of the circuit # 60 shown in (e-2) of 11 that the upper device is the common device # 6 and the accommodation position is SHW # 0, and then the common device # 6 shown in (d-3). It is confirmed that the accommodating position of the common device # 6 is NHW # 13 from the station data of No. Therefore, the accommodation positions of the circuit # 60 are NHW # 13 and SHW.
Although it is determined by # 0, the tag information of NHW # 13 is TAGA
= 3 and TAGB = 1, TAGA = 3 and TAGB = 1 are set in the tag information of the circuit # 60, and TAGC = 0 from the accommodation position SHW # 0 of the circuit # 60.

The same applies to the circuits # 61 to # 67. For example, when the port P10 (not shown in FIG. 8) of the BSGC # 1 is selected for the circuit # 67, the VC to the circuit # 67 is selected.
As shown in (b-4) of FIG. 12, the C data is input VCI = 10,
Except for TAGC = 7, the content is the same as (b-2). circuit#
Illustration and description of 61 to # 66 are omitted.

Next, the VCC data set in the common device # 6 as the VCC data set in the communication device 3 will be described. The VCC data set in the common device # 6 includes VCC data when transmitting from the common device # 6 itself and VCC data required when transmitting from the lower circuit (individual unit) 32.

FIG. 13 (c-1) shows B from common device # 6 itself.
It shows the VCC data needed to send control information to the processor via port P2 of SGC # 1. In order to make the description easier to understand, the tag information will be described first. When the BSGC # 1 to which the control information is transmitted is first determined, the processor determines that the higher-level device is BSGCCOM # 0 and BSGC # 1 according to the station data of BSGC # 1 shown in (c-3) of FIG.
1 is accommodated in "SHW # 1", and then the communication path 5a accommodating BSGCCOM # 0 is SIDE # 0 according to the station data of BSGCCOM # 0 shown in (b-2) of FIG. Confirm that it is NHW # 0. With these information, the tag information for BSGC # 1 is T
AGA = 0, TAGB = 0, and TAGC = 1.

The control information is BSG based on the above tag information.
Since it is transferred up to C # 1, it is not necessary to specify the communication path 5 for transmitting the control information to the VPI / VCI, but since the port number is not specified, as shown in (c-1) The number "1" of SHW # 1 accommodating BSGC # 1 is set to VPI as information for identifying BSGC # 1 which is the other device (exit VPI = 1), and BSGC is set to egress VCI.
Set the port number P2 of # 1 to "2" (output VCI =
2). For the input VPI / input VCI, the values set in the output VPI / output VCI in (b-1) of FIG.
PI = 0 (fixed value) and input VCI = 3FC (fixed value commonly given to the common device 31 of the communication device 3) are set. Input VPI / Input VCI and Output VPI = 1 in this example
Has no direct relation to the designation of the connection destination.

FIG. 13 (c-2) shows the VCC data for the circuit # 60 which is one of the individual units in the communication device # 6 of FIG. Since the individual unit has a different device type from the common device, the above-mentioned “3FE” (fixed value commonly given to the individual unit 32 of the communication device 3) is set as the incoming VCI. Although the setting destination of the PVC 6 differs depending on the circuit, if the setting destination of the PVC 6 of the circuit # 60 is the port P3 of the BSGC # 1, the output VCI = 3.
To set. Other than the above two items, VCC of common device # 6
It is the same as the data. Similarly, the VCC data for the circuit # 67 has input VCI = 3FE and output VCI =, as shown in (c-4).
It is the same as the VCC data of the common device # 6 except that it is set to 10 (the PVC setting destination is the port P10 of the BSGC # 1). Illustration and description of the other circuits # 61 to # 66 are omitted.

The contents of the VCC data have been described above by taking the case of setting the PVC for the communication device # 6 of SIDE # 1 as an example. However, between the communication device 3 of SIDE # 0 and the signal control device 2 of SIDE # 1. The same applies when the PVC is set to. By the way, since the relay device is installed in the communication device 3 of SIDE # 1 as described above, the individual unit 32 is often an LLP. As explained in Figure 18,
Since LLP does not need to be controlled by the processor,
In the prior art, the control line was not set. Therefore,
Also in the present invention, when the circuits # 60 to # 67 in FIG. 8 are LLPs, the PVC is not directly set to the circuits # 60 to # 67, and when the control is required, the common device # 6 and the common device # 6 are used. apparatus#
Control information is transmitted / received to / from the processor via the PVC 6 set to 6. In this case, (b-2)-
The VCC data shown in (b-4) and (c-2) to (c-4) of FIG. 13 is not set. [Setting of VCC Data] After creating the VCC data, the processor sets the created VCC data in the common part (BSGCCOM21 or common device 31) of the corresponding device. First, a method of setting the VCC data for the BSGCCOM21 will be described.

In the present invention, BSGCCOM 21, common device 31
Although there is no control line for transferring control information between each of the circuits 32 and the processor, the processor and the BSGC 22
Signal lines 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5; not shown in FIG. 8) are connected to each other, and the processor sends all control information including information at the time of setting VCC data to the signal line 7 and the BSGC 22. Send and receive via. The processor converts the VCC data shown in (b) of FIG. 12 to BSGCCOM # 0 of FIG.
When set to BS, the BS via the subordinate BSGC22
Set to GCCOM21. BSGC used in that case
22 may be arbitrary, but is a predetermined BS
An example using GC22 (BSGC # 0) will be described.

In order for the processor to set the VCC data shown in FIG. 12 (b) to BSGCCOM # 0, the VCC data with an instruction to set the VCC data (hereinafter,
(Hereinafter referred to as VCC data setting instruction information) to BSGC # 0, BSGC # 0 sends this information to BGC # 0 via SHW # 0.
Send to SGCCOM # 0. BSGCCOM # 0 follows V according to the command included in the received VCC data setting instruction information.
The CC data is stored in a predetermined storage unit (not shown).
By storing the VCC data, BSGCCOM #
The setting of the VCC data for 0 is completed.

Next, V for the common device 31 in the communication device 3
A method of setting CC data will be described. When the setting of the VCC data for the BSGCCOM 31 is completed, the processor sends the VCC data to the common device 31 (referred to as the common device # 6 of SIDE # 1 of FIG. 8) of the communication device 3 and stores it. In that case, the setting method of the VCC data is BSGCCOM21.
Although there is a method of not using the VCC data of the BS, in the following, as in the case of sending the control information to the common device 31, the BS
A method of using the VCC data set in GCCOM21 will be described.

When the VCC data is set in the common device # 6, the processor indicates the common device # 6 in the common device # 6 as shown in (c) of FIG. The VCC data setting instruction information including the VCC data is transmitted. BSGC # 1 sends this VCC data setting instruction information from port P2 to BSGC via SHW # 1.
Send to COM # 0.

BSGCCOM # 0 already stored
A connection destination instructing unit (described later) is created using the 12 (b-1) VCC data, added to the cellized VCC data setting instruction information, and sent from NHW # 0 of SIDE # 0. The cell of the VCC data setting instruction information is sent to the NHW # 13 of SIDE # 1 according to the instruction of the connection destination instruction unit, and is received by the common device # 6. The common device # 6 stores the VCC data in a predetermined storage unit (not shown) according to the instruction of the received VCC data setting instruction information.

V in BSGCCOM # 0 and common device # 6
The setting of the VCC data is completed by storing the CC data. As a result, BSGC # 1 and common device # 6
This means that the PVC has been set up with each of the devices inside, and thereafter, it becomes possible to exchange control information between the processor and the communication device # 6. [Transfer of Control Information] First, a method of transferring control information when the processor transmits control information to the communication device 3 will be described.

When transmitting control information (for example, a command to ignite a lamp (not shown) in the common device # 6) to the common device # 6 of the communication device # 6 of FIG. 8, the processor instructs the common device # 6. BSGC # 1 with PVC configured
Send control information to. Control device is a common device #
6 itself, BSGC # 1 sends this control information from port P2 to BSGCCOM # 0 via SHW # 1. At this time, the received control information is divided into 48-byte units and sent. To do. BSGCCOM # 0 attaches a connection destination designating section to this cellized control information and sends it out from NHW # 0 of SIDE # 0 as a control information cell. Hereinafter, a method of creating the control information cell will be described.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a structure of a control information cell in which a connection destination designating section is added to cellized control information. As is well known, an ATM cell is composed of 53 bytes by adding a 5-byte header section to a 48-byte information field, but the control information cell used in the present invention is used only in the ATM switch. A 2-byte tag part is added. The configuration of the header differs between the user / network interface (UNI) and the network node interface (NNI).
The example which used the header part of a format is shown. First, the header part will be described. However, since PT, CLP and HEC are known, the description thereof will be omitted, and VPI and VCI will be omitted.
About.

Processing unit of BSGCCOM # 0 (not shown)
Receives the control information, the control information is SHW # 1.
Sent from port P2 of (BSGC # 1), incoming VPI =
It is confirmed that the control information is 1 (SHW # 1) and the input VCI = 2 (port P2). As described above, the BSGCCOM # 0 stores the VCC data shown in FIG. 12B in the form of a table (the table storing the VCC data is referred to as a VCC table). Access this VCC table and input VPI =
It is identified that the control information of 1 and input VCI = 2 corresponds to (b-1) of FIG.

Therefore, the output VPI / output VCI of the VCC data in (b-1) of FIG. 12 is set to the VPI / VCI of the header portion of FIG. Output to the VCC data of (b-1) in FIG. 12 VPI =
Since 0 (fixed value) and output VCI = 3FC (other device type is common device) are set, VPI / VCI in FIG. 14 is set.
Set this value to.

Next, the tag part is created. From (b-1) of FIG. 12, it is indexed that TAGA = 3, TAGB = 1, and TAGC = 0 (in this case, they have the same meaning as NUL). Therefore, these values are set in the respective tag information of FIG. Further, the SIG of the tag portion is information for identifying whether or not it is control information, and in the case of control information, SIG = 1 is set. Note that SIG = 1 is set in advance in the VCC data of FIG. 12 (for example, the SIG section is provided after TAGA to TAGC), and VCC is created when the tag section is created.
You may make it set by reading from data. Various kinds of information are also set in other bits (including a vacant part) of the tag part, but the description is omitted because they are not directly related to the transfer method.

Next, BSGCCOM # 0 adds the connection destination instructing section consisting of the tag section and the header section created above to the received cellized control information and sends it to NHW # 0 as a control information cell. ATM switch 4 is T of the tag section
The transfer path of this control information cell is selected by AGA = 3 and TAGB = 1 and is sent to NHW # 13 of SIDE # 1, so that the control information cell is received by the common device # 6. That is,
The above control information is sent from the port P2 of the BSGC # 1 via the PVC6 shown by the double-dashed line in FIG.
6 has been transmitted.

As is well known, in the ATM switch, the communication information cell is transferred to the partner device by designating the information transfer path by VPI and VCI, but the connection path of the control information cell is designed by VPI / VCI. Then AT
VPI / used for transfer of communication information cell in M switch
It is necessary to manage and give the value of VPI / VCI so that it does not overlap with the value of VCI and does not overlap with other control information cells. However, in the present invention, as described above, the control information is sent not to the VPI / VCI but to the partner device by the tag information, and therefore the VPI set in the header section.
There is no need to perform complicated management regarding / VCI.

As shown in (b-1) of FIG. 12, common device # 6
"0" or "NUL" is set in the TAGC of the control information cell received in the above. When TAGC is set to "NUL", it is clear that the control information is for common device # 6, but even when TAGC = 0 is set, output VCI = 3FC is set. Therefore, common device # 6 can identify that this cell is addressed to itself. Further, since SIG = 1 in the tag portion identifies this cell as a cell of control information, the common device # 6 reads the contents of the information field.

Since the content of the information field is an instruction to ignite the lamp in the common device # 6 in this example, the processing unit (not shown) of the common device # 6 ignites the designated lamp and ends the lamp ignition. Report what you have done to the processor. This report becomes the control information of the response to the command, and the return operation of this control information will be described below.

The processing unit of the common device # 6 creates control information for reporting the end of lamp ignition, converts the control information into cells, and the VC
A connection destination instruction unit is created using the C table. Although the VCC data described in (c) of FIG. 13 is stored in the VCC table of the common device # 6, since the response information is control information transmitted from the common device # 6 itself, A connection destination designating part of the control information cell is created using the VCC data of c-1).

In this example, the connection destination designating section is shown in the tag section.
13 (c-1) TAGA = 0, TAGB = 0, TAGC =
1 is set and VPI / VCI of the header part is set to (c-1) in FIG.
Output VPI / output VCI VPI = 1 and VCI =
Set 2. When setting the VPI / VCI of the header part, the input VPI / input VCI set in (c-1) of FIG. 13 is used.
Is not used, but here, V set in the common device 31
The input VPI / input VCI of CC data will be described.

As described above, the VCC data is originally used for converting the input VPI / input VCI set in the input cell into the output VPI / output VCI designating the destination. In the case of the device (particularly the communication device of SIDE # 0) 3, unlike the signal control device 2, since the data from the subscriber is directly input, the VCC table in the common device 31 is stored in the header part of the data from the subscriber. It is also used to convert the set input VPI / input VCI to output VPI / output VCI.

Since the VCC data for control information has the same format as that for the subscriber, it is necessary to specify the incoming VPI / incoming VCI, but the subscriber may use the value of the incoming VPI / incoming VCI. Cannot be set to a certain value. Therefore, in the present invention, “input VPI = 0, described in (c-1) of FIG.
Input VCI that subscriber does not use, such as “Input VCI = 3FC”
Set the value of PI / In VCI. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform complicated management of VPI / VCI for control information.

On the other hand, when the common device # 6 itself transmits control information to the processor, the input VPI / input VCI is originally used.
Since there is no need to set the above values, there is no problem in setting the above values, but circuit # 60, which is a lower device of common device # 6
When the control information is sent from # 67, it is necessary to identify which circuit 32 the control information is transmitted from.
CI cannot be determined. However, in the present invention, the circuit (individual part) 32 is not identified by using the incoming VPI / incoming VCI, but is identified by a hardware means and the VCC data is selected using the identification result. ing.

The tag part and header part created above are shown in the figure.
It is added to the cell of control information as a connection destination instruction unit of 14 and SI
When sent from NHW # 13 of DE # 1, the ATM switch 4 sends a control information cell to NHW # 0 of SIDE # 0, that is, BSGCCOM # 0 by TAGA = 0 and TAGB = 0. This control information cell is further S by TAGC = 1.
It is sent to HW # 1 and received by BSGC # 1. That is, the control information cell from the common device # 6 is PVC6 in FIG.
Is sent to the port P2 of BSGC # 1 via the.

When the BSGC # 1 receives the control information cell, it sends only the information in the information field to the processor except for the connection destination designating section in FIG. 14, but when the control information is divided into a plurality of control information cells. Is assembled into one control information and sent. Therefore, the VPI and VCI in the header are not sent to the processor, but the processor knows from which BSGC this control information was sent, so VPI = 1
No information (meaning BSGC # 1) is needed. Therefore, BSGC # 1 sends the contents of VCI = 2 set in the header part to the processor, including only the port number in the control information, and the processor sends this control information to BSGC # 1.
It is sent to the port P2. Since the processor can know that the control information sent to the port P2 of the BSGC # 1 is the one sent from the common device # 6, the received control information is sent to the common device # 6 first. Confirm whether or not the information is response information, and perform necessary processing.

The case of transmitting / receiving control information between the common device 31 of the communication device 3 and the processor has been described above. However, the case of transmitting / receiving control information between the circuit 32 of the communication device 3 and the processor is VCC. Since the data is almost the same except that it is different, and the difference in the VCC data has been described, the description of the control information transfer operation is omitted. Signal controller 2 of SIDE # 0 and SIDE
The same applies to the method of transferring control information between the # 1 communication devices 3.

In addition to the above, the processor may send control information to the BSGC 22, and the BSGC 22 may send response information or autonomous information to the BSGC 22 as control information to the processor. Since the signal path 7 is provided between the processor and the BSGC 22, all control information between the processor and the BSGC 22 is transmitted and received via the signal path 7. Also, the processor and BSGCCOM21
There is also a method of transferring control information between the BSGCCOM21 and the BSGCCOM21 by providing a signal line to the BSGCCOM21.
Since it is easy to exchange various kinds of information between them, control information between the processor and the BSGCCOM 21 is performed via the signal path 7 and the BSGC 22. Therefore, this point is the same as in the prior art shown in FIG. 18 (the signal path 7 of the present invention and the control line 107 of the prior art have the same usage method for the transfer of the control information in this portion).

As described above, according to the control information transfer method of the present invention, a control line dedicated to the control information is provided to the common unit 31 and the individual unit 32 of the communication device 3 in which a large number are installed and the number of increase / decrease or accommodation change is large. The greatest feature is that there is no need to provide. [Embodiment of ATM Switch] Next, an AT according to the present invention
An embodiment of the M switch will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the main operation of which is to explain each means of the ATM switch having the basic configuration of FIG. 7 and its contents and the control information transfer method according to the present invention. Since there are many parts that overlap with the contents described in the above embodiment, the description will be omitted by omitting the overlapping parts.

FIG. 15 shows an AT having the basic configuration shown in FIG.
Although the configuration of the embodiment of the M switch is illustrated, the internal configurations of the signal control device 2 and the communication device 3 are specifically illustrated. As shown in the figure, the inside of the signal control device 2 is constituted by a set of BSGCCOM21 which is an embodiment of a common part and a plurality of BSGC22 which is an embodiment of an individual part, and the inside of the communication device 3 is an embodiment of a common part. A set of common equipment 31
And a plurality of circuits 32 which are the embodiments of the individual units. FIG. 15 illustrates a configuration example in which the communication device 3 to which the subscriber terminal 9 is connected is provided on the left side of the ATM switch 4 and the communication device 3 (for example, the LLP described in FIG. 18) for relaying communication is provided on the right side. There is.

In the ATM switch of the present invention, when the communication device 3 is newly added, the processor 1 sets a PVC between the communication device 3 and the newly selected signal control device 2. This P
VC is specifically a common device that is an internal device of the communication device 3.
B, which is an individual unit of each of 31 and the circuit 32 and the signal control device 2.
Although it is set between SGC22 and PVC as described above,
Is 1 between each of the internal devices of the communication device 3 and the BSGC 22.
It is generally set to one of the plurality of ports 26 in the BSGC 22 without being set to one. Note that FIG.
Then, in order to avoid complicated drawings, 2 PVC
Only the PVC 6 set in the common device 31 of the two communication devices 3 is shown.

The PVC 6 is set in the VCC in the processor 1.
The data creation unit (embodiment of the VCC data creation means 11 in FIG. 7) creates it using the station data 10. However, the VCC data creation unit 11 selects the signal controller 2 and port 26 for setting the PVC. It will be carried out in collaboration with 14 (details are the same as already explained, so omitted). The VCC data to be set in the signal control device 2 and the one to be set in the communication device 3 are created. The created VCC data is for the communication device connection processing unit 24 ( Communication device connection processing means 24 of FIG.
Embodiment) and inside the common device 31 of the communication device 3 in the signal control device connection processing unit 34 (embodiment of the signal control device connection processing means 34 of FIG. 7). The VCC data 23 and the VCC data 33 in FIG. 15 show the set VCC data, but specifically, they are in the form of a VCC table. Details of the method of creating and setting the VCC data described above are omitted because they overlap with the contents already described.

Since the PVC has been set by the setting of the VCC data, the control information can be transferred between the processor 1 and the communication device 3. Hereinafter, the control information transfer operation will be described. In order to identify a plurality of devices, the number “#n” described in FIG. 15 is added to the name of each device. First, a case where the processor 1 transmits control information to the common device # 1 which is an internal device of the communication device # 1 will be described. When transmitting the control information, the processor 1 transmits the control information transmitting / receiving unit 13 via the signal path 7 to the BSGC # 0, that is, the PVC 6 is set to the common device # 1.
It is sent to SGC22 (referred to as BSGC # 0).

BSGC # 0 converts this control information into cells,
It is sent to BSGCCOM # 0 via SHW # 0 from a port in which PVC6 is set for common device # 1. BSGCCOM # 0 communication device connection processing unit 24 is V
Connection destination instruction information is created from the CC data 23, added to the cell of control information, and sent to NHW # 0. Since the ATM switch 4 sends this control information cell to the NHW # 11 accommodating the common device # 2 according to the connection destination instruction information,
The common device # 1 receives the control information.

Next, the transfer operation for transmitting the control information from the communication device 3 to the processor 1 will be described by taking the case of transmitting from the common device # 0 to the processor 1 as an example. Common device # 0
When the control information to be transmitted to the processor 1 is generated, the control information is transmitted to the signal processing unit connection processing unit 34. The signal processing device connection processing unit 34 converts this control information into cells, creates connection destination instruction information of the control information from the VCC data 33, and adds it to the cell of the control information.
Send to W # 1.

The ATM switch 4 uses this control information cell according to the connection destination instruction information to set the NH specified in the connection destination instruction information.
Since it is transmitted to W # 10, the control information cell is the signal control device # 1.
To be received. BSGCCOM # 1 of signal controller # 1
SH which has specified this control information cell in the connection destination instruction information
Since the data is transferred to W5b (SHW # 0) and the port number, the control information cell is received by the designated port of BSGC # 10. The control information relay unit 25 of BSGC # 10 assembles this control information cell into the original control information and sends it to the processor 1 via the signal path 7, and the processor 1 receives this control information via the control information transmitting / receiving unit 13.

Next, the information transmission / reception path of the ATM exchange of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition to control information, FIG. 16 illustrates communication information and call control information paths.
In the figure, the path of call control information sent from the circuit # 0 to the processor 1 is shown by a thick dotted line, and the path of communication information when the terminals A and B communicate with each other is shown by a double line. The transfer path of these pieces of information is exactly the same as the transfer path in the conventional ATM switch shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 shows the circuit (individual part) # of the communication device # 0.
The route for transmitting the control information from 0 to the processor 1 is shown by a chain double-dashed line, but as shown in the figure, in the ATM switch of the present invention, the control information passes through the route substantially the same as the call control information. Transferred to. However, the call control information is transferred via a virtual variable communication path (SVC: Switched Virtual Channel) that is set each time a call is generated, whereas the control information of the present invention is transferred via a fixed communication path. The difference is that it is done.

As is clear from FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, in the present invention, the control information is transferred by the PVC passing through the communication paths 5a and 5b and the ATM switch 4, so that the common part (common device) in the communication device 3 ) 31 and the individual section (circuit) 32, it is not necessary to individually set a control line dedicated to control information. This point becomes clear by comparing FIG. 15 with FIG. 17 showing the configuration of the conventional technique, or FIG. 16 with FIG. 18 showing the route of the conventional technique. [Common items regarding the embodiment] The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to Figs. 8 to 16. However, Figs. 8 to 16 merely show a part of the embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention It goes without saying that is not limited to what is shown. For example, although the present invention has been described with respect to the transfer of control information between the communication device and the processor, the subject of the present invention is not limited to the communication device and can be applied to various devices accommodated in the ATM switch. Is clear.

Further, the station data configuration shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the VCC data configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, or the control information cell configuration shown in FIG. 14 are all major components. It is shown, the format is not limited, and addition of information other than the described information is not excluded. Regarding the tag information, it goes without saying that the effect of the present invention does not change even if TAGA and TAGB are merged. There are various methods for setting the VCC data as mentioned in the description, and the effect of the present invention does not change even if the method is set by methods other than those described.

Needless to say, the ATM switch may have a configuration other than that shown in the figure, and even if some functions are transferred to other parts, the effect of the present invention does not change. For example, the operation of cellizing the control information or assembling the cellized control information into the original control information may be performed by a part other than the illustrated or described part, or may be performed by a processing part of each device (not shown). The effect of the present invention does not change.

[0140]

As described above, according to the present invention, A
Because it is not necessary to install a dedicated control line for transferring control information between the processor and the communication device of the TM switch when transferring control information between the processor and each internal device that constitutes the communication device. Since it is not necessary to newly install or change a large number of control lines when an ATM switch is newly installed, or when communication devices or the like are added or removed or accommodations are changed, it greatly contributes to shortening of wiring work and reduction of obstacles due to wiring change.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (1)

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (2)

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (3)

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (4).

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (5)

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the principle of the control information transfer method of the present invention (6)

FIG. 7 is a basic configuration diagram of an ATM exchange of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a device accommodation model diagram of an ATM exchange according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of station data according to the embodiment of the present invention (1)

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of station data according to the embodiment of the present invention (2)

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of station data according to the embodiment of the present invention (3)

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of VCC data according to the embodiment of the present invention (1)

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of VCC data according to the embodiment of the present invention (2)

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a control information cell according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an ATM exchange according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an information transfer path of the ATM exchange according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a conventional ATM switch.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of an information transfer path of a conventional ATM switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 processor 2 signal control device 3 communication device 4 ATM switch 5, 5a, 5b communication line 6 fixed partner connection line (PVC) 7 signal line 8 control information cell 9 subscriber terminal 10 station data 11 VCC data creation means 12 VCC data setting Means 13 Control information transmitting / receiving means, control information transmitting / receiving section 14 Port management means, port management sections 23, 33 VCC data 24 Communication device connection processing means, communication device connection processing section 25 Control information relay means, control information relay section 26 ports 31 Communication device internal device (common part) 32 Communication device internal device (individual part) 34 Signal control device connection processing means, signal control device connection processing part 81 Control information 82 Connection destination instruction information

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-276215 (JP, A) JP-A 1-174048 (JP, A) JP-A-3-231540 (JP, A) JP-A 8- 213994 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/24 H04L 12/56 400

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ATM switch and a professional controlling an exchange.
Connect to the ATM switch via a communication path with a sessa.
Connected to each other via the communication path and the ATM switch.
A plurality of communication devices that perform communication and are connected to the ATM switch via a communication path,
Relays call control information exchanged between the communication device and processor
Control signal for controlling each communication device from the processor.
Information and control information sent by each communication device to the processor
In a switch for transferring data in a cell format, a communication path is provided between each of the communication devices and the signal control device.
And virtual fixed connection route via ATM switch
And set the cell type control information to the fixed connection route of the other party.
And the communication device recorded in the station data.
And the signal using the accommodation position information of each signal control device
Each control device or communication device has its own
To transfer the control information to a communication device or a signal control device.
Virtual channel connection data including connection destination information required for
After creating, storing the virtual channel connection data created to the signal control device and a communication device
Defined by each communication device and each communication device
Virtual partner fixed connection for control information transfer between signal control devices
A signal control device that sets a connection and transmits control information
The communication device converts the control information to be transmitted into cells,
Create information that specifies the connection destination using the channel connection data.
Control by adding to the cellized control information
The communication device or
Control of the exchange, characterized in that it is transferred to the signal controller.
Information transfer method. 2. A connection destination instruction of the virtual channel connection data
Each of the communication devices recorded in the station data in the information and
Setting the accommodation position information of the signal control device as tag information
However, each communication device and signal control device are
When transmitting to the signal control device or communication device, the tag information
By adding information to cellized control information and transmitting
Control information can be transferred via a virtual fixed connection path.
The control information transfer method of an exchange according to claim 1, characterized in that
Law. 3. The processor includes the communication device and the signal.
When setting the pre-Symbol virtual permanent virtual connection path between the control unit
One of the multiple ports that each signal control device has
Specify it as one of the setting destinations of the ideal fixed connection path, and specify
Signal control device having an open port and information for identifying the port.
Virtual path identifier that specifies the path to each destination
And a virtual channel identifier that specifies the channel to the destination
The virtual channel connection data stored in each communication device as
The communication device before sending the control information.
The virtual path identification set in the virtual channel connection data.
Connect Besshi and virtual channel identifier with the tag information
It is included in the information indicating the destination and added to the cellized control information.
3. The exchange control system according to claim 2, wherein
Information transfer method. 4. The communication device comprises a plurality of internal devices
Device type identification information for each internal device type in advance.
And the processor stores the information in each signal controller.
Of the control information in the virtual channel connection data
Set device type identification information for each destination communication device, and
The signal control device temporarily sends the control information to the destination when transmitting the control information.
A fixed virtual path identifier that specifies the virtual path
Information, a virtual channel that specifies the virtual channel to send to
By setting the device type identification information in the identifier,
It is added to the control information that is made into cells together with the tag information and sent.
The control information transfer of the exchange according to claim 2,
How to send. 5. The signal control device is provided in each of the processors.
Manage the usage status of the multiple ports and prepare new
Set up the other party fixed connection path between the communication device and the signal control device.
When setting, it is possible to set a fixed connection path
Select one of the signal control devices with the largest number of ports
For one of the vacant ports in the selected signal controller,
The virtual channel to set the fixed connection path
The connection data is created according to claim 3.
Control information transfer method of exchange. 6. An ATM switch and a professional controlling an exchange.
Connect to the ATM switch via a communication path with a sessa.
Connected to each other via the communication path and the ATM switch.
A plurality of communication devices that perform communication, and the AT via a communication path
Between the communication device and the processor connected to the M switch
One or more signals for relaying call control information exchanged in
It consists of a control unit and controls each communication unit from the processor.
Control information for controlling and each communication device to the processor
Exchange smell transferring control information to be sent at the cell format
In addition, the processor is provided for each communication device and the communication device recorded in the station data.
And a signal control device using the accommodation position information of each signal control device.
Alternatively, each of the communication devices has its own defined communication device.
Or the connection required to transfer control information to the signal controller.
VC that creates virtual channel connection data including destination information
C data creating means and the virtual channel created by the VCC data creating means
Send connection data to the signal control device and communication device
By storing it inside each device,
Transfer control information between signal control devices specified for each communication device.
VCC data for setting a virtual fixed connection route for transmission
Signals control information exchanged between the setting means and the communication device by the processor.
The signal path and signal control device provided between the control device and
Control signal transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving through the signal control device,
The virtual channel connection data sent from the
Controls control information sent from communication devices to communication devices
When received via the information relay means, the virtual channel
Before creating the information that indicates the connection destination with the connection data
It is added to the control information, and via a virtual fixed connection path
The communication device connection processing means for transferring to the partner communication device, and the control information received from the processor via the signal path to the cell.
And send it to the communication device connection processing means,
More cellized control information sent to the processor
Information is received when it is received via a virtual fixed line connection.
After assembling the control information in cell format, it is programmed via the signal path.
The communication device includes a control information relay unit for transferring to a processor, and the communication device is a VCC data setting unit of the processor.
It stores the virtual channel connection data sent from the
Received control information to be sent to the processor from inside the device
When the control information is converted into cells, the virtual channel connection
The cell is created by creating information that indicates the connection destination from the data.
Added to the converted control information to create a virtual fixed connection
Signal control device connection to send to the other signal control device via
An exchange equipped with a processing means. 7. A signal control device is provided in the processor.
To check the usage status of multiple ports
The VCC data creating means is provided with a port managing means for storing and managing , and the VCC data creating means newly includes a communication device and a signal control means.
A virtual partner fixed connection path is established between the device and the port in the device.
Fixed port via the port management means.
Determine the signal control device and port to set the route,
Recorded in the identification information of the signal controller and port and station data
Using the stored signal location information of the signal control device and communication device
Transfer control information between the communication device and the signal control device
Virtual channel connection data including connection destination information required for
A device configured to create a
The exchange described in 6.