Asynchronous transfer mode or ATM is the cell relay protocol designed by the ATM forum and adopted by the ITU-T. The combination of ATM and SONET will allow high speed interconnection of the entire world's network. In fact ATM can be thought of as the "high way" of the information superhighway.
Among its design goals, the foremost is the need for the transmission system to optimize the use of the high data rate transmission media, in particular optical fiber. In addition to offering large bandwidths, newer transmission media and equipment are dramatically less susceptible to noise degradation. A technology is needed to take advantage of both factors and thereby maximize data rates.
Another design goal is that the system must interface with existing systems and provide wide area interconnectivity between them without lowering their effectiveness or requiring their replacement. The design must be implemented inexpensively so that cost would not be a barrier to adoption. If ATM is to become the back bone of international communications, as intended, it must be available at low cost to every user who wants it. The new system must be able to work with and support the existing telecommunications hierarchies (local loops, local providers, long distance carriers, and so on).
Among its design goals, the foremost is the need for the transmission system to optimize the use of the high data rate transmission media, in particular optical fiber. In addition to offering large bandwidths, newer transmission media and equipment are dramatically less susceptible to noise degradation. A technology is needed to take advantage of both factors and thereby maximize data rates.
Another design goal is that the system must interface with existing systems and provide wide area interconnectivity between them without lowering their effectiveness or requiring their replacement. The design must be implemented inexpensively so that cost would not be a barrier to adoption. If ATM is to become the back bone of international communications, as intended, it must be available at low cost to every user who wants it. The new system must be able to work with and support the existing telecommunications hierarchies (local loops, local providers, long distance carriers, and so on).