Inverse multiplexing over ATM (IMA) is a method of optimizing the data transfer rate for individual subscribers in networks

that use asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) by dividing the data into multiple concurrent streams that are sent across separate channels and reconstructed at the destination, obtaining the original data stream. IMA works with voice, video and other data transmission modes. IMA spreads out digital data cell by cell, optimizing the efficiency with which availablebandwidth is utilized and preventing the occurrence of bottlenecks in a network. When additional bandwidth is needed, data streams can be added. Speeds of up to 1.2 gigabits per second (Gbps) are possible for individual customers, along with load sharing for guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS). IMA can work with all types of physical transmission media including cable, fiber optic,satellite and plain old telephone service (POTS). Other features include fault tolerance and traffic consolidation, enhancing network reliability, reducing complexity and minimizing dataredundancy.

Since the IMA access device at the receiving end requires a steady stream of cells to correctly recreate the original stream, the sending device introduces filler cells to keep the round-robin process at both ends in sync whenever there is a lull in traffic. To reduce bandwidth consumption, IMA removes idle and unassigned cells from the original stream and reinserts them at the receiving end. IMA's inverse multiplexing is transparent to the application and to the rest of the network, because cell order and format is retained and the T1/E1 delay variations within each IMA group are compensated for by software buffers in IMA equipment. The IMA UNI is carried on top of a T1 or E1 ATM physical interface, performing inverse multiplexing using the IMA Control Protocol (ICP). The ATM Forum defines how ATM cells are mapped onto physical layer media. In the case of IMA, however, the cell-based control protocol aggregates the WAN links.