An asynchronous transfer mode network, in accordance with the present invention,
includes a plurality of remote terminals remotely disposed relative to a central
office. The remote terminals are connected by a ring with two paths. The ring transfers
signals thereon in opposite directions relative to each path. The central office
feeds duplicate signals on each path. Each remote terminal includes a first multiplexer
for routing signals transferred on the ring to and from an asynchronous feeder
multiplexer. The asynchronous feeder multiplexer is adapted to route components
of downstream signals on a first path of the ring to a destination and to replace
the components of the signals on the first path with copies of components of signals
running in an opposite direction on a second path of the ring such that at any
location in the network both paths provide all signals.