Modeling the Performance of a Broadband Network Using Various ATM Cell Formats

This paper analyzes the performance of a broadband network at the ATM adaptation layer and at the ATM layer comparing variable-length cell (VLC), fixed-length cell (FLC) and multiple FLC (MFLC) formats. The MFLC format is unique in that it is not currently under consideration by standards organizations. We have analyzed the performance implications of these three ATM cell formats by assuming fixed traffic characteristics at the ATM adaptation layer. Illustrative comparisons of the resulting end-to-end delay performance, memory requirements, and network traffic overhead are presented. The results were obtained using simulation and analytical approximation techniques.