A system and method connect a call in a broadband system using the asynchronous
transfer mode protocol for switching. Calls are connected over a SONET ring that
has SONET multiplexers coupled by SONET paths. The SONET multiplexers are adapted
to add calls to, and drop calls from, the SONET ring. An ATM cross connect system
that has ATM cross connect devices is coupled to the SONET ring. The ATM cross
connect devices provide provisioned ATM connections over the SONET ring. ATM interworking
units are coupled to the ATM cross connect system. The ATM interworking units interwork
calls with selected ATM connections in response to control messages. The selected
ATM connections are provisioned between the ATM interworking units by the ATM cross
connect system over the SONET ring. A signaling processor system receives call
signaling for the calls, processes the call signaling to select the ATM connections
for the calls, and sends the control messages to the selected ATM interworking
units. The control messages designate the selected ATM connection.
