ATM multicast connections using the Gauss switch

In order to support multiparty calls in B-ISDN, ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switches with good multicast capabilities are required. Gauss is an architecture for a high-speed ATM switching element (ASE) which can easily be adjusted in order to meet this demand. Gauss uses output queuing, a broadcast bus, a limited increase in internal speed, and a self-routing method to get a number of favorable properties. The Gauss ASE is modular, resulting in an ASE that can easily grow towards a large ATM switching fabric (ASF). A number of modifications and additions by which the Gauss ASE can offer multicast connections to the user. These are input replication, the use of a multicast routing tag, and the use of a multicast traffic gathering module