Broadband public network and switch architecture

The paper provides a view of public network architecture evolution to broadband capabilities driven by the emerging applications requirements. The applications evolution scenario includes high-speed data transfer and multimedia capabilities with interactive image communications. The evolutionary view includes the incorporation of a fiber infrastructure, frame and cell transport technologies, and associated network capabilities. The requirements for a broadband switching node are further derived from the network architecture. The functions of a cell switch supporting an ATM transport are characterized, and design rules and technology requirements for the ATM switching fabric are determined.