Space/time switching element having input/output circuits each separately switchable between two or more bit rates

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention solves this problem by providing a switching element comprising a plurality of input circuit (I1, .
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, I16) each associated with one of a plurality of input lines on each of which a plurality of input signals are receivable in a time-division multiplex mode, a plurality of output circuits (O1, .
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, O16) each associated with one of a plurality of output lines on each of which a plurality of output signals are placeable in a time-division multiplex mode, and switching means (Mx, Mem, Dx) for selectively assigning all input signals and all output signals to one another, characterized in that each input circuit (I1, .
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, I16) and each output circuit (O1, .
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, O16) are separately switchable between two or more bit rates.
The use of switching elements whose inputs and outputs are switchable separately between two (or more) bit rates not only solves all of the aforementioned problems but offers some additional advantages.
For example, the switchover capability can also be used to adapt the bit rate to current requirements, thereby reducing the average power dissipation and spurious radiation.
By combining several channels, it is possible (in STM, Synchronous Transfer Mode) to provide connections of higher capacity.