Variable rate error control for wireless ATM networks

For mobile wireless ATM networks, error control beyond that provided by the current ATM standards is required to realize reliable communication in this high noise environment. In the proposed scheme the ATM cell header is protected by a relatively powerful FEC code to ensure correct delivery and low cell loss rate. The ATM cell payload is encoded for varying degrees of error protection depending on the type of data contained in the payload. By applying multiple shortened codes to the data field, the same hardware performs the encoding/decoding functions for the different code rates. Analysis shows that significant reductions in cell loss rate (relative to an uncoded system) and varying degrees of payload error protection are realized with a minimal increase in required bandwidth