System architecture for a large-scale public VTOA handling node

This paper describes key technologies for implementing a large scale public voice telephony over ATM (VTOA) handling node system. VTOA is one of the most promising ATM applications. It allows network operating companies to provide a less expensive but relatively high quality telephone service, by employing voice data compression and the efficient transmission capability of AAL2. We propose a VTOA handling system architecture from several technical aspects, such as the optimum basis for the node, i.e., STM versus ATM, the appropriate network structure, and suitable signalling. These key points are evaluated from the standpoints of economy, ease of implementation, and extensibility. We believe that our proposed methods will be the basis for the construction of an efficient and cost-effective VTOA handling network.