National research project for the realisation of an ATM test-bed in Italy

The authors describe the objectives and the early technical results of a project for the realization of an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) testbed, which is being carried out in Italy with the support of the national research organization (CNR) and with the participation of the main organizations operating in the telecommunication field. After presenting the general structure and the solutions adopted for the testbed, the authors describe the main characteristics of its building blocks under development: the switching node with its ATM switching fabric and control units, the access network with the related interfaces and protocols, the customer equipment composed which is composed of ATM workstations, ATM terminal adaptors and LAN gateways, and the interworking unit connecting the testbed to the telephone network. The policing functions adopted are also discussed