Modular design of a large sorting network

Batcher sorting networks have been extensively used in the design of ATM switches based on Batcher-banyan interconnection network. Batcher sorting networks require large number of stages of sorting elements especially for large network sizes. This results in high delay, difficulty in partition into IC, and difficulty in maintaining synchronization across rite entire structure. In this paper, we present a simple design of a sorting network that can be used as a building block to build larger sorting networks of arbitrary size. The proposed design is very modular and can be efficiently implemented using current VLSI technology