Efficient estimation of cell loss and cell delay of nonblocking ATM switches

The performance evaluation of ATM switches is of paramount importance in the design and analysis of ATM networks. In this paper, we focus on the evaluation of the cell loss rate (CLR) and cell delay probability (CDP) in nonblocking ATM switches using computer simulations. In particular, we investigate the potential of using importance sampling techniques as an "superfast" alternative to conventional Monte Carlo simulation in finding the CLR and CDP in nonblocking ATM switches. We propose a "split switch" method to decouple the input and output queue behaviors, along with the notion of regenerative cycles. Numerical results will demonstrate that considerable computation cost can be saved using the proposed importance sampling techniques while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.