The superposition of variable bit rate sources in an ATM multiplexer

When variable-bit-rate sources are multiplexed in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, there arise queues with a particular form of correlated arrival process. Such queues are analyzed by exploiting a result expressing the distribution of work in system of the G/G/1 queue originally derived by V.E. Benes (1963). A simple alternative demonstration of this result is analyzed and extended to the case of fluid input systems. The result is applied first to a queue where the arrival process is a superposition of periodic sources (the Σ D_i/D/1 queue), and then to a variable-input-rate constant-output-rate fluid system. The latter is shown to model the so-called burst component of the considered superposition queuing process. The difference between this and the real queue, the cell component, can be evaluated by means of the results obtained for the Σ D_i/D/1 queue. The relative importance of these two components is explored with reference to the particular case of a superposition of on/off sources