A novel hybrid architecture for converging packet and TDM flows in a single platform

In this paper, we study a practical approach to change the legacy network architecture, which has become complicated and inefficient in its attempts to meet new telecommunications demands. The array of equipment required to support time division multiplexing (TDM), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame based packets (e.g. frame relay), and other internet protocol (IP) traffic in the current architecture is complex and difficult to manage. We propose a hybrid switch architecture that combines frame and TDM switching in a unified access platform and provides seamless integration of multiple services in a single platform. The proposed hybrid infrastructure is simpler, less expensive, and capable of delivering more flexible functions. We compare the legacy architecture with the new hybrid architecture and evaluate the performance of this hybrid switch.