Abstract

A sorting unit for a switching node comprising a plurality of digital switching matrix networks for fast, asynchronous packet switching networks, which switching node comprises a multi-stage, mixed connection structure based, for example, on a banyan tree structure, that forms a complete truck group, such that every input of the switching node is connectable to every output thereof. The digital switching matrix networks are fashioned as self-controlling (self-routing) sorting units that are a multi-stage circuit switching arrangement comprising 2m-1 beta element columns of m beta elements (଱) each, whereby 2m is equal to the number of inputs and equal to the number of outputs of the sorting unit, and m is a power to two. The sorting unit is divided into a first sub-unit comprising m columns that functions as a distribution unit and a second sub-unit comprising m-1 columns that functions as a correction unit.