Abstract

Worldwide activities on ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) have been intensifying with rapidly evolving standards (CCITT and ATM Forum) [1,2]. Applications include multimedia services, high-speed LAN's, central-office switches and high-speed digital crossconnects. Potential large-scale network conversion into ATM is being considered and debated within various research and development communities. The push for deploying ATM to upgrade the existing network infrastructure has sometimes been compared to the "analog-to-digital revolution". The primary incentive to do so stems almost entirely from its service flexibility. Here, we discuss various aspects of ATM networking, emphasizing the transport objectives and requirements for next-generation networks. We will begin with the basic notions of ATM networking and then shift to a specific example of a VP (Virtual Path) transport network using an integrated ATM Crossconnect as a key network element.

© 1993 Optical Society of America