An ATM Based PCS/Cellular Architecture

Abstract

Motivated by the market drivers and technology trends, we have created a vision of a new infrastructure for cellular/PCS services. This infrastructure will allow faster introduction of new services while maintaining low cost. The key elements of the proposed architecture are: the separation of the information transport functions from the processing and database functions; ATM connectivity between the Radio Port (air interface termination point) and the PSTN; flexible distribution of functional modules around an ATM based local or metropolitan area network; concepts of ‘user process’ and ‘home call manager’ to support sophisticated services and roaming users more effectively; new and faster hand-off mechanisms; new ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL); use of standardized OAM procedures in ATM network; ease in providing integrated services and common access to wireless and wired line services. The paper gives an overview of the proposed architecture and describes key aspects in some detail. Besides the authors, the architecture team includes: John Baldwin, Subra Dravida, Tom Laporta, Sanjiv Nanda, Phil Treventi, and Malathi Veeraraghavan.