Multimedia applications in a mobile ATM environment

ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) is the only standard based protocol today that is designed for broadband integrated services at the OSI lower layers. It is most suitable for multimedia applications. While ATM is widely deployed at the wide area network and the Internet core, it is also getting popular over ADSL. Vendors are paying more attention to wireless ATM technology and participation in the ATM Forum Wireless ATM (AF WATM) Technical Committee. The AF WATM group has defined a wireless configuration reference model. For Phase 1, it is focusing on the development of the protocol interface between a wireless mobile terminal and fixed ATM switches. Driven by the needs of the Internet and Enterprise Intranet accesses from mobile user platforms such as airplanes and cruise ships, an AF WATM subgroup was formed to develop protocol specifications for the interface between a mobile wireless ATM switch and a ground fixed ATM switch. Several simulated tests and demonstrations were given and many wireless ATM issues were identified. This paper gives a description of why we chose ATM, the operation concept of a satellite-based mobile ATM network, the constraints of the mobile platform environment, the test scenarios and demos were performed, the issues identified from these tests and demos, and how are these issues being addressed.