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ATM Adaptation Layer - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
ATM Adaptation Layer - Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The use of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology and services creates the need for an adaptation
layer in order to support information transfer protocols, which are not based on ATM. This adaptation layer
defines how to segment and reassemble higherlayer packets into ATM cells, and how to handle various
transmission aspects in the ATM layer.
Examples of services that need adaptations are Gigabit Ethernet, IP, Frame Relay, SONET/SDH,
UMTS/Wireless, etc. only optical fibers can be used.
The main services provided by AAL (ATM Adaptation Layer) are:
Segmentation and reassembly
Handling of transmission errors
Handling of lost and misinserted cell conditions
Timing and flow control
The following ATM Adaptation Layer protocols (AALs) have been defined by the ITUT.[1] It is meant that
these AALs will meet a variety of needs. The classification is based on whether a timing relationship must be
maintained between source and destination, whether the application requires a constant bit rate, and whether the
transfer is connection oriented or connectionless.
AAL Type 0 (also referred as raw cells) consists of 48 bytes of payload without any reservation for
special fields.
AAL Type 1 supports constant bit rate (CBR), synchronous, connection oriented traffic. Examples
include T1 (DS1), E1, and x64 kbit/s emulation.
AAL Type 2 supports timedependent Variable Bit Rate (VBRRT) of connectionoriented, synchronous
traffic. Examples include Voice over ATM. AAL2 is also widely used in wireless applications due to the
capability of multiplexing voice packets from different users on a single ATM connection.
AAL Type 3/4 supports VBR, data traffic, connectionoriented, asynchronous traffic (e.g. X.25 data) or
connectionless packet data (e.g. SMDS traffic) with an additional 4byte header in the information
payload of the cell. Examples include Frame Relay and X.25.
AAL Type 5 is similar to AAL 3/4 with a simplified information header scheme. This AAL assumes that
the data is sequential from the end user and uses the Payload Type Indicator (PTI) bit to indicate the last
cell in a transmission. Examples of services that use AAL 5 are classic IP over ATM, Ethernet Over
ATM, SMDS, and LAN Emulation (LANE). AAL 5 is a widely used ATM adaptation layer protocol.
This protocol was intended to provide a streamlined transport facility for higherlayer protocols that are
connection oriented.
AAL 5 was introduced to:
reduce protocol processing overhead.
reduce transmission overhead.
ensure adaptability to existing transport protocols.
The AAL 5 was designed to accommodate the same variable bit rate, connectionoriented asynchronous traffic
or connectionless packet data supported by AAL 3/4, but without the segment tracking and error correction
requirements.
Class A Class B Class X Class C Class D
Circuit emulation Compressed video Cell relay Bursty data Datagram service
constant Bit Rate Variable Bit Rate VBR VBR VBR
Timing Required Timing Required Timing Not Required Timing Not Required Timing Not Required
Connection Oriented Connection Oriented Connection Oriented Connection Oriented Connection less
AAL 1 AAL 2 AAL 0 AAL 3/4 AAL 3/4 & AAL 5
References
1. Cisco Systems Guide to ATM Technology (https://www.cisco.com/application/pdf/en/us/guest/products/ps1891/c2001/
ccmigration_09186a00800f4b5d.pdf) (2000). Section "Servicedependent ATM Adaptation Layers". Accessed 2011
0601.
External links
ATM forum (http://www.atmforum.com/)
International Telecommunication Union (http://www.itu.int/)
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This page was last modified on 16 March 2015, at 04:42.
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