Integrated cell and frame switching in ATM networks

Based on the per-VC queueing architecture, we propose a new technology to integrate cell and frame switching in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. We demonstrate that we can switch both fixed-length cells and variable-length frames inside the same switch at the same time. The insight is to recognize that we can store not only fixed-length cells, but also variable-length frames in each VC queue. The seamless integration of frame switching with cell switching will have a potential of merging frame relay with ATM.