US5032837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for expanding N×N three-stage switching network to 2N×2N three-stage switching network
Assignee: NEC Corp
•
Filing: 1989-10-03
•
Granted: 1991-07-16
•
Expires: 2009-10-03
Abstract
Abstract N/n first-stage switches of an existing N×N three stage network are decomposed into 2N/n virtual switches having n inlets and 2n outlets, and N/n third-stage switches are likewise decomposed into 2N/n virtual switches having 2n inlets and n outlets. The outlets of each first-stage virtual switch are connected respectively to the inlets of different second stage existing switches, the inlets of each third-stage virtual switch being connected respectively to the outlets of different second stage existing switches. When expansion stages are installed, existing connections from the outlets of the N/n first-stage virtual switches are removed and new connections are established therefrom to the inlets of different expansion second-stage switches, and existing connections to the inlets of the N/n third-stage virtual switches are removed and new connections are established therefrom to the outlets of different expansion second-stage switches. New connections from the outlets of the expansion first-stage switches to the inlets of different second stage existing switches and to the inlets of differnet expansion second-stage switches are established, and new connections from the inlets of the expansion third-stage switches to the outlets of different second stage existing switches and to the outlets of different expansion second-stage switches are established. The first and third stages virtual switches are then composed into the original physical switches.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuuki Yoshifuji
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/15; H04L49/1515; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/64; H04Q3/68; H04L49/25; H04L49/253; H04L49/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
440 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the outlets of each of said existing first-stage switches being divided into first and second equal groups and the inlets of each of said existing third-stage switches being divided into first and second equal groups, the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said first group being connected respectively to first inlets of each existing second stage switch, the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said second group being connected respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said first group being connected respectively to first outlets of, each existing second-stage switch and the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said second group being connected respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, the method comprising: a) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch being divided into first and second equal groups and the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch being divided into first and second equal groups; b) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of existing first-stage switch of said second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and c) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the first group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch and from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
440 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the outlets of each of said existing first-stage switches being divided into first and second equal groups and the inlets of each of said existing third-stage switches being divided into first and second equal groups, the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said first group being connected respectively to first inlets of each existing second stage switch, the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said second group being connected respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said first group being connected respectively to first outlets of, each existing second-stage switch and the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said second group being connected respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, the method comprising: a) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch being divided into first and second equal groups and the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch being divided into first and second equal groups; b) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of existing first-stage switch of said second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and c) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the first group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch and from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first inlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second inlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second outlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch, and wherein said first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
524 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, said existing first-stage switches being decomposed into first and second equal groups of first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and said existing third-stage switches being decomposed into first and second equal groups of third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets, the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of said first group being connected respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of said second group being connected respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the inlets of each third-stage virtual switch of said first group being connected respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and the inlets of each third-stage virtual switch of said second group being connected respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, the method comprising: a) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; b) decomposing said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion first-stage virtual switches and decomposing said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion third-stage virtual switches; c) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of said first-stage virtual switches of said first group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of said second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of said third-stage virtual switches of said second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of said second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; d) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of said first group to second inlets of each existing each existing second-stage switch and new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of said second group to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of said first group to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of said second group to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch; and e) composing the existing first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing first-stage switches, composing the existing third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing third-stage switches, composing the expansion first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into said N/n expansion first-stage switches and composing the expansion third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into said N/n expansion third-stage switches.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
524 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, said existing first-stage switches being decomposed into first and second equal groups of first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and said existing third-stage switches being decomposed into first and second equal groups of third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets, the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of said first group being connected respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of said second group being connected respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, the inlets of each third-stage virtual switch of said first group being connected respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and the inlets of each third-stage virtual switch of said second group being connected respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, the method comprising: a) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; b) decomposing said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion first-stage virtual switches and decomposing said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion third-stage virtual switches; c) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of said first-stage virtual switches of said first group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of said second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of said third-stage virtual switches of said second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of said second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; d) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of said first group to second inlets of each existing each existing second-stage switch and new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of said second group to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of said first group to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of said second group to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch; and e) composing the existing first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing first-stage switches, composing the existing third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing third-stage switches, composing the expansion first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into said N/n expansion first-stage switches and composing the expansion third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into said N/n expansion third-stage switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first inlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second inlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second outlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch, and wherein said first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
417 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the method comprising: (a) dividing the outlets of each of said existing first-stage switches into first and second equal groups and dividing the inlets of each of said existing third-stage switches into first and second equal groups; (b) connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said first group respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said second group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said first group respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch; c) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; d) dividing the outlets of each of said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups and dividing the inlets of each of said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups; e) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and f) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the first group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each expansion second-state switch.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
417 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the method comprising: (a) dividing the outlets of each of said existing first-stage switches into first and second equal groups and dividing the inlets of each of said existing third-stage switches into first and second equal groups; (b) connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said first group respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of said second group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of said first group respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch; c) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; d) dividing the outlets of each of said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups and dividing the inlets of each of said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups; e) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of each existing first-stage switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and f) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the first group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each expansion second-state switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first inlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second inlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second outlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch, and wherein said first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch and second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
551 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the method comprising: a) decomposing said existing first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of existing first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and decomposing said existing third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of existing third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets; b) connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch; c) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; d) decomposing said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and decomposing said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets; e) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; f) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to inlets of each existing second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of the second group to second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and g) composing the existing first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing first-stage switches, composing the existing third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing third-stage switches, composing the expansion first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n expansion first-stage switches, and composing the expansion third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n expansion third-stage switches.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
551 words
A method for expanding an existing N by N three-stage switching network to a 2N by 2N three-stage switching network, said N by N three-stage switching network comprising N/n existing first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n existing second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets and N/n existing third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets, the method comprising: a) decomposing said existing first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of existing first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and decomposing said existing third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of existing third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets; b) connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to first inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the outlets of each existing first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each existing second-stage switch, connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to first outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and connecting the inlets of each existing third-stage switch of the second group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch; c) adding to said existing network, N/n expansion first-stage switches each having 2n inlets and 4n outlets, 2n expansion second-stage switches each having N/n inlets and N/n outlets, and N/n expansion third-stage switches each having 4n inlets and 2n outlets; d) decomposing said expansion first-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion first-stage virtual switches each having n inlets and 2n outlets and decomposing said expansion third-stage switches into first and second equal groups of expansion third-stage virtual switches each having 2n inlets and n outlets; e) removing existing connections leading from the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the outlets of each first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, and removing existing connections leading to the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the second group and establishing new connections from the inlets of each existing third-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; f) establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to inlets of each existing second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the outlets of each expansion first-stage virtual switch of the second group respectively to second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch, establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of the first group respectively to second outlets of each existing second-stage switch, and establishing new connections from the inlets of each expansion third-stage virtual switch of the second group to second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch; and g) composing the existing first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing first-stage switches, composing the existing third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n existing third-stage switches, composing the expansion first-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n expansion first-stage switches, and composing the expansion third-stage virtual switches of said first and second groups into the N/n expansion third-stage switches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
144 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first inlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second inlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the existing second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each existing second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch and said second outlets of each existing second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the existing second-stage switch, and wherein said first inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second inlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered inlets of the expansion second-stage switch, and said first outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are odd-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch and said second outlets of each expansion second-stage switch are even-numbered outlets of the expansion second-stage switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-15 | 1995-01-14 | 1995-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-15 | 1999-01-14 | 1999-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-15 | 2003-01-14 | 2003-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |