Table Of ContentA TEXTBOOK ON
ATM
Telecommunicalions
Principles and Implementation
A T E X T B O O K O N
A TM
Telecoi—u lc a B o is
Principles and Implementation
P. S. NEELAKANTA
CRC Press
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Neelakanta, Perambur S.
A textbook on ATM telecommunications : principles and implementation / PS. Neelakanta.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8493-1805-X
1. Asynchronous transfer mode. I. Title.
TK5105.35. N44 2000
621.382'16—dc21 00-029431
CIP
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PREFACE
There has been extraordinary growth in telecommunication engineering in the last few
decades. The progress of current years faces a second revolution in telecommunication as the
world marches ahead into the new century along the information superhighway. There is,
however, a gamut of engineering challenges strewn along this path while facilitating the
socioeconomic needs posed in the telecommunication area.
The pace of evolving telecommunications is incomprehensibly fast. Therefore, it has
become an impetus at all levels — whether in educating the technicians or creating a new breed of
electrical communication engineers — to become proficient and conversant of the past profile of
telecommunications as well as to gain a comprehensive knowledge and hands-on perspective
about the next generation of telecommunication technology.
In the panoramic realm of telecommunications and in the associated networking of the
present and future interests exists a subset called broadband technology, which includes multiple
applications of electrical communication technology, namely, voice, video, and data in an
integrated fashion.
Among the broadband technologies in practice, there is a specific state-of-the-art strategy
that prevails known as the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and the pertinent engineering
commitments associated with it involve a plethora of users, service providers, and equipment
vendors on a global scale.
Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is conceived as a terminus of the evolutions and
developments that had taken place in switching and transmission technology in the last two to
three decades. It makes the highly sought after broadband integrated services of digital networks
(B-ISDN), a reality and it makes B-ISDN accessible to subscribers.
The modem applications of telecommunications, which require high-bit rates for the
transfer of voice, video and data information, are hopefully turning to the B-ISDN protocols
supported by the ATM. Asynchronous transfer mode has a constant cell-size for the packet-
stmcture that is used for the transmission of associated information. Further, it accommodates
multiservice telecommunication strategies as needed by current technology. It uses the broadband
network schemes namely, the synchronous optical network (SONET) and the synchronous digital
hierarchy (SDH), which have a fonnattable framing structure consistent with ATM protocols.
In essence, ATM is a high-performance, cell-oriented switching and multiplexing
technology that utilizes fixed-length packets (“cells”) to carry different types of low-bit to high-bit
rate (or, synonymously, low bandwidth to high bandwidth) traffics supporting heterogeneous
applications such as data, voice, and video. High quality of service (QOS) being the mantra to
market telecommunication network services of today, the aforesaid ATM supplemented by
SONET or SDH architectures provides an appropriate and flexible infrastructure to the emerging
B-ISDN technology. Use of optical fiber in SONET/SDH as the physical layer for transporting the
packetized information to its destination has enhanced the realizable broadband attributes to ATM
networking and increased the reliability of transmission due to reduced bit errors.
Further, ATM is envisioned towards local area networking (LAN), wide-area networking
(WAN), as well as public networks of national and global communications. Therefore, it is
governed by certain protocol issues, unique engineering considerations, and networking principles
pertinent to the technology and switching/services constrained by a prescribed set of universal
standards.
ATM is a technology that enables service providers to capitalize on a number of revenue
opportunities through multiple ATM classes of services, high-speed local area network (LAN)
interconnections, voice, video, and data transmission as well as multimedia applications. Relevant
ventures in business markets enclave short-term perspectives and stretches into long-term
strategies of commercial and residential markets.
In addition to providing such revenue opportunities, ATM also reduces infrastructure
costs through efficient bandwidth management, operational simplicity, and by consolidating the
overlay networks. From a tariff point of view, carriers may no longer afford to shoulder the
financial burden and spend undue time required in deploying an individual network for each
version of new service requirement (for example, dedicating a network for a single service such as
transparent LAN or frame-relay). However, by pursuing ATM technology, it will allow a stability
V
in the core network and simultaneously permit the service interfaces and other equipment to be
developed at a rapid pace. Thus, ATM is a catalyst for robust telecommunications, which is
commensurate with the choices imposed by the consumers, capabilities of the vendors, and the
potentials of service providers in implementing the services required.
Technically, ATM can be viewed as an evolution of packet-switching. Like packet-
switching for data (for example, X.25, frame-relay, TCP/IP), ATM also integrates the
multiplexing and switching functions. It is well-suited for bursty traffics (in contrast to circuit-
switching), and allows communications between devices that operate at different speeds. Unlike
the conventional packet-switching, ATM is designed for high-performance multiple-applications
networking. In its current emerging phase, ATM technology is implemented in a spectrum of
networking devices. It is a capability that can be offered as an end-user service by service-
providers (as a specially tariffed service). Also, it may refer to a unique networking infrastructure
at the telco level. The basic service building block of ATM networking is the virtual circuit, which
is an end-to-end logical connection with defined end-points and preset routes but does not have a
specific bandwidth dedicated to it. Bandwidth is, rather, allocated on demand by the network when
the users define the type of traffic to be transmitted with a prescribed quality of service. Hence, to
meet the broad range of application needs, ATM also defines various classes of service involved.
ATM systems are designed in conformance with a set of international interfaces and
signaling standards defined by the International Telecommunications Union Telecommunications
(ITU) Standards Sector (formerly the CCITT) as recommended by the ATM Forum. The ATM
Forum is an international voluntary organization composed of vendors, service providers, research
organizations, and users. It has played a pivotal role in the ATM market since its inception in
1991. Its purpose is set to “accelerate the use of ATM products and services through the rapid
convergence of interoperability specifications, promotion of industry cooperation and other
activities.” And, ATM Forum works towards this goal by developing appropriate multi-vendor
implementation agreements.
Recently, there is also a considerable interest shown on the topic of wireless ATM, a
companion system to the emerging wireline B-ISDN/ATM networking. Relevant feasibility and
implementation issues and engineering perspectives on wireless ATM have become, therefore, a
viable part posing adequate contents for a section in a conceivable book on ATM.
About this book ...
The primary goal of this book is to cast the salient aspects of ATM telecommunications
technology in the perspective of the associated engineering. It is written to suit classroom
presentations (for adoption as a textbook ) as well as a book of guidance for practicing engineers.
It outlines the necessary underlying principles and implementation considerations of ATM in a
lucid manner for students, network planners, and engineers employed in telecommunications
industry. It is designed to educate the students and practicing engineers of the industry on the
changing trends in the telecommunication area. The goal of the book, in a nut-shell, is to make its
audience appreciate the query “Why ATM at all?”
There are a number of books that have emerged in the recent past, offering excellent
descriptions on various aspects of ATM as a broadband switching technology. The associated
methods of transmission, protocols involved, and signaling strategies adopted with relevant
descriptions on hardware and/or software requirements, etc., have been portrayed
comprehensively in those books.
A modern approach to teaching engineering subjects (as encouraged by various
accreditation bodies) is to blend design considerations along with the theoretical contents. Such
design examples of practical interest and implementation are presented explicitly in this book.
Therefore, the pedagogy of this book is conceived to meet the following objectives consistent with
the audience profile and its requirements:
• Present the subject-matter on ATM cohesively and logically in a chapterwise
format compatible for a semester-based set of lectures
• Each chapter is provided with a set of (solved) example problems, and
assignments. Relevant practical design exercises in those chapters are also
presented
vi
• Most of all, in each chapter, some topics, which do not directly come under the
scope of ATM, but are required as background information, are highlighted
within “key concept boxes” along with the contents of the text deliberated in the
chapters
• Further, each chapter begins with an overview of its contents and offers, as
necessary, the background details. A glossary of terms and networking concepts
is also presented at the end of the book
• Adequate examples on issues concerned with the migration to ATM and ATM-
enabling are presented to illustrate the associated principles and techniques.
Each example has a balanced emphasis on the concept and calculations
involved. The basics on signaling considerations are also presented in a
systematic manner: First, the signaling in non-ATM situations is discussed and
details on ATM signaling are presented along with examples and illustrations
• The book will meet the needs of the engineers of the telecommunications
industry. For many of the existing industries, ATM is a new concept. The
engineers associated with them should, therefore, learn the basics and prepare
themselves for the trends in broadband networking via ATM. This book will be
a companion to their conceivable efforts.
The author’s experience, as an instructor of this course at the 6000 level, provides insight
into the students’ needs on this subject. Further, the ample feedback received from students
(regular graduate students and/or practicing engineers from various telecommunication industries
who participated in this course) has been used judiciously to make the book reader friendly.
This book also covers the basics of electrical communications and networking as the
background materials so as to enable the readers to understand and grasp the intricacies of the
engineering and science behind the ATM technology.
In short, the book as it is written will aptly match the students at upper undergraduate
level, graduate level, as well as ATM professionals belonging to telecommunication service-
providers, equipment manufacturers, and research and development sectors.
The book is organized in eight chapters. The contents of each chapter are preceded by a
chapter-opener portraying a preview on the real-world aspects and application considerations
pertinent to the contextual motive of the chapter. As stated earlier, a comprehensive glossary of
terms and their brief definitions is presented at the end of the book. Effort will be made to include
any necessary updated information when the book is to be revised in future editions. Also, relevant
bibliography is appended to each chapter.
Perambur S. Neelakanta Boca Raton
2000
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Books are written, bought, read, resold and may be forgotten! But in the heart of the
author always linger the hardships strived and the help that was received in making the book.
My foremost thanks are due to all my students who patiently listened to my lectures on
the subject-matter of this book and contributed their abundant wisdom, constructive criticisms,
and above all, splendid solutions to my homework assignments!
1 am also sincerely thankful to those practicing engineers who enrolled in my course and
shared their knowledge, which has been profusely inculcated in this book.
My specific thanks are due to my Ph.D student Mr. Wichai Deecharoenkul, M.S.E.E. (a
Telecommunication Engineer on deputation from the Communications Authority of Thailand),
who helped me immensely in preparing the manuscript of this book. Without his help, a timely
release of this work would have been impossible.
1 extend my thanks to the publisher and staff of CRC Press for providing me with an
opportunity to write and publish this book. Their support and help are greatly appreciated.
1 have learned a lot by reading the books written by other authors on this subject. The
knowledge I gained thereof helped me to cast this book in the right perspective. 1 thank all those
authors.
My words of gratitude will be incomplete, if 1 fail to place on record my heartfelt
“thanks” to my wife Manju and my children Mahesh and Sabarish for being always beside me in
all my endeavors.
Lastly, in all humility 1 dedicate this book to Thirumurugan of Tiruporur.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
pi Perambur S. Neelakanta is a professor of electrical engineering
at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, in the United
States. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1975 from the
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (India). He was also a research
fellow at the Technical University, Aachen, Germany. Career-wise, he
served as a member of the faculty at the Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore (India), Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (India),
University of Science, Penang (Malaysia), National University of
x Singapore, and the University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama. He
was also director of research at RIT Research Corporation, Rochester,
New York.
Concomitant to his pedagogical pursuits, he has a wide range of research interests:
Electromagnetics, antennas, microwaves and RF engineering, neural networks, radar systems and
telecommunications. His current research efforts are directed at ATM telecommunications, mobile
communications, ADSL and economics of telecommunications network planning.
Dr. Neelakanta has published extensively, in excess of 130 papers in journals and about
60 in conference proceedings. He has authored a book-chapter and published three books in
addition to the present one. He is also working on a new book on wireless communication
antennas and currently supervises several Ph.D. dissertations and a couple of M.S.E.E. theses.
He has received university-wide awards, for excellence in undergraduate teaching and for
being the distinguished teacher of the college of engineering.
