Real-time communication in ATM networks

The asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) is expected to be the multiplexing and switching technique for the future broadband integrated service digital networks (BISDNs) which can transport almost all types of traffic including bursty data traffic and continuous voice/video frames. However, this capability cannot be realized without a proper congestion-control scheme. This paper discusses the suitability of the real-time channel approach for congestion control in ATM networks. A main contribution of the paper is the development of a new message-transmission scheme for real-time channels which does not require each cell to carry deadline information which is difficult to do with the standard ATM cell format. This makes our scheme compatible with, and implementable in, ATM networks. The new scheme also has a number of advantages over existing ones. The achievable quality of service with the proposed approach would make ATM networks capable of supporting both real-time services and dynamic bandwidth sharing which have been promised but not yet fully realized.<>