Development of an integrated backbone network for a high capacity PCN network

This paper describes the development of a high capacity backbone network for a personal communication network (PCN) based on a hierarchical ATM based LAN/MAN structure. It is expected that some of the first generation PCN will be implemented based on the DCS1800 architecture, which is an extended Global System for Mobile (GSM) standard. This paper discusses the features of the current GSM backbone network, which is based on a conventional centralised structure. The performance of the GSM backbone network is examined by using a simulation model. A circuit switched traffic model using the full rate and half rate speech coder specifications was used for the simulation. A hierarchical LAN/MAN structure has been proposed for an integrated backbone network which will support both circuit and packet switched traffic. The paper also discusses the implications of packet services on the existing GSM backbone network and also compares the proposed network with the General Packet Radio Services (GPRS).