Cell multiplexing apparatus handling multiple items of information

Abstract

A cell multiplexing apparatus including call monitors and multiplexers. The call monitors monitor a plurality of channels for their call setting status and select at least two channels for their call setting status and select at least two channels for which the same cell may be assembled, i.e., for which the destination of the calls is the same. The multiplexers receive audio information or information already assembled in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells from the channels selected by the call monitors, and disassemble and multiplex the received information for assembly into the payload of a new ATM cell.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cell multiplexing apparatus for receiving communication information over a minimum of two channels and for transmitting the communication information to a transmission line, said cell multiplexing apparatus comprising: 
 call monitoring means for obtaining call setting information from said communication, indicative of monitor control information for each channel; and    at least one multiplexing means, each of said at least one multiplexing means for multiplexing said communication information received over said minimum of two channels into a single cell of a fixed length comprising a header and a payload, having recognize information to recognize each channel and length of the communication information, in accordance with said call setting information obtained by said cell monitoring means, and transmitting said single cell to the transmission line.