Design and implementation of radio access protocols in wireless ATM networks

Wireless ATM provides a framework for next-generation wireless communication networks supporting integrated, quality-of-service (QoS) based multimedia services. The reference architecture for wireless ATM consists of two major components-a radio access layer for extension of ATM services over a wireless link, and a mobile ATM infrastructure network capable of supporting terminal mobility. We discuss the design considerations and implementation issues for the radio access layer protocols (for example, medium access control (MAC), data link control (DLC), etc.) in wireless ATM networks. A brief overview of recent experiences (implementation and experimental evaluation) with WATMnet, a proof-of-concept prototype of a Wireless ATM network developed at NEC USA's C&C Research Labs in Princeton, NJ, is also presented.