摘 要 無線ATM觀念的提出始於1992年,被認為是B-ISDN網路的無線延伸。WATM具有支援整體服務品質的多媒體服務能力,因而被積極的認為是下一代無線通信網路的解決方案。目前無線ATM仍處於初期發展階段,正式標準尚未制定頒佈,研究人員正在建立實驗性的WATM網路,並在其上面實驗各種不同的協定。ATM型式的無線網路將在未來的寬頻通信網路中扮演一個重要的角色。本文敘述無線ATM技術基本原理、系統架構及討論關鍵性設計問題,作為移動ATM及無線接取之建設基礎。無線接取層的問題在本文中述及的包括:實體層(PHY)、媒體接取控制(MAC)、數據鏈路控制(DLC)及QoS控制。移動ATM方面諸如交遞控制、位置管理的討論及目前無線ATM技術發展與標準化進展現況。本文最後簡要討論無線ATM技術的未來發展趨勢,如在IP及移動多媒體方面的應用。
Abstract The concept of “wireless ATM”, first proposed in 1992, is regarded as the wireless extension of B-ISDN network. WATM is now being actively considered as the solution for next-generation wireless communication networks capable of supporting integrated, quality-of-service (QoS) based multimedia services. Today wireless ATM is still in the initial stage, the formal standard has not been laid down, the researchers are setting up experimental WATM networks, based on which various protocols are experimented. Wireless networks of ATM types will play an important role in wide-band wireless communication networks in the future. This paper describes the technological rationale for wireless ATM, a system level architecture, and discusses key design issues for both mobile ATM switching infrastructure and radio access subsystems. WATM radio access layer issues covered in this paper include : physical layer (PHY);medium access control (MAC) protocols;data link control (DLC) protocols and QoS control. Mobile ATM aspects such as ATM signaling extensions for handoff control and location management are discussed. A summary of current wireless ATM technology development and standardization status is given, including an outline of WATMnet prototype. This paper concludes with a brief discussion of future directions for wireless ATM technology such as Internet protocol (IP) integration and mobile multimedia applications.