A recursive multistage structure for multicast ATM switching

A recursive multistage structure for multicast asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching is proposed, based on a connection network with a copying facility and external links connecting the outlets to the inlets. While the network generates only a few copies of an output multicast cell, the remaining are obtained by recycling the output copied cells to the corresponding inputs as many times as necessary. The basic features of a prototype binary multicast switch following the strategy are described. Its performance is also evaluated in terms of throughput and delay, via computer simulation. It is shown that due to the recursive mechanism, the copy generation is spatially distributed in the whole structure and is spread in time. This favorably affects the network's performance