Introduction to IP/ATM Design and Performance

This text aims to provide engineers with an understanding of Asynchronous Transfer Modes (ATM) issues and teletraffic techniques. Derivations are used to demonstrate simple techniques and formulas are quoted and applied directly.

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ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) is a sophisticated telecommunications switching technique which allows the simultaneous transmission of voice, image and computer data. It efficiently exploits the huge carrying capacity of optical fibre for transporting a wide range of information types across a broadband and integrated services digital network. Teletraffic engineering (TTE) is set to become a very important topic over the next few years as we move from existing telecommunications techniques to technology based on ATM. As teachers of the subject, the authors are aware of the difficulties that engineers experience in understanding ATM issues and teletraffic techniques. This book aims to provide engineers with what they need: derivations are used to demonstrate a simple technique: otherwise, a formula is just quoted and applied directly. From introducing ATM, packet switching, and the cell, the authors take a simple and intuitive approach to presenting the analytical techniques of TTE, performance evaluation and grade of service (probability of loss, delay etc).
Coverage includes cell scale and burst scale queueing and their combination (buffer dimensioning) and readers are given a practical appreciation of the capabilities of simulation. The inclusion of all formulae in MathCAD files in an enclosed diskette should further benefit readers of the book.