Wireless ATM: a perspective on issues and prospects

In this article the author examines several key issues in wireless ATM and even offers possible resolutions for some. The primary differences that distinguish wireless from wireline communications are presented, together with a short summary of so-called second-generation digital cellular system concepts. The operation of a wireline ATM network, especially with regard to those aspects bearing on the feasibility of wireless extension, is briefly reviewed, as well as some key technologies which may be very important enablers for wireless ATM, and some possible approaches for enabling bandwidth on demand (the media access problem) and maintaining service quality guarantees (the cell handoff problem), respectively. Finally, a possible format for signaling and synchronization, needed to “tie it all together”, is presented