ATM technology development in RACE

The selection of one or more transfer modes for integrated broadband communications was recognized as a key issue in the 1986 RACE definition phase. This resulted in the final adoption of the asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM, and the generation of numerous contributions to CCITT in the context of B-ISDN. In the main RACE program, ATM technology studies continue and are consolidated within three projects dealing respectively with: a target ATM network based entirely on ATM; an initial solution for local access with ATM supported by synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) technology; and evolution strategies and consequent equipment. The consolidated results of these projects are presented. It is argued that these projects collectively present a consistent network architecture which encompasses each stage of evolution from today´s networks to the target ATM-based network of tomorrow