IP/ATM integrated services over broadband access copper technologies

A rich set of broadband access copper technologies is available in the market today, and more are coming out of the laboratories, rapidly moving to standardization. The most likely future scenario will be one where many different technologies coexist. This multi-access-technology paradigm poses an interesting internetworking problem where interoperability and capability to support today´s and future user services play a major role in the design of a network architecture. This article begins with an overview of current and new xDSL access technologies to continue describing an access network design that harmonizes the interconnection between PON, xDSL, and native ATM transport technologies. The use of ATM technology for the interface to the broadband access and transport networks is then presented and justified. The article continues studying the protocol architectures proposed for access to network service providers, considered a driver application for broadband access deployment. Finally, different protocol architectures that can provide integrated services support at the user equipment are analyzed