Table of Contents

List of Abbreviations.......................................................................................................... 2

ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)..........................................................................................3

1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................3

1.2 ATM Adaptation Sub-Layer........................................................................................3

1.3 ATM Adaptation Layer Protocols................................................................................4

AAL Type 0....................................................................................................................4

AAL Type 1....................................................................................................................5

AAL Type 2....................................................................................................................5

AAL Type 3/4.................................................................................................................5

AAL Type 5....................................................................................................................5

1.4 Comparison between ATM layer and OSI reference model.........................................5

1.5 Conclusion...................................................................................................................8

1.6 Reference.....................................................................................................................9

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List of Abbreviations
AAL --------------------------------------------------ATM Adaptation Layer
AAL-SAP -------------------------------------------AAL Service Access Point
AAL-SDU ------------------------------------------AAL Service Data Unit
ATM--------------------------------------------------Asynchronous Transfer Mode
ATM-SDU ------------------------------------------ATM Service Data Unit
CS-----------------------------------------------------Convergence Sublayer
ITU----------------------------------------------------International Telecommunication Union
QOS------------------------------------------------- Quality of Service
SAR------------------------------------------------ --Segmentation and Reassembly (Sublayer)
SAR-PDU -------------------------------------------SAR Protocol Data Unit
PDU--------------------------------------------- -----Protocol Data Unit

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ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL)
1.1 Introduction
The ATM adaption layer lies between the ATM layer and the higher layers which use the ATM
service. Its main purpose is to resolve any disparity between a service required by the user and
services available at the ATM layer. The ATM adaption layer maps user information into ATM
cells and accounts for transmission errors. It also may transport timing information so the
destination can regenerate time dependent signals. The information transported by the ATM
adaption layer is divided into four classes according to the following properties-

1) The information being transported is time dependent/independent: It may be

necessary to regenerate the time dependency of a signal at the destination.
2) Variable/Constant bit rate.
3) Connection/Connectionless mode information transfer.

These properties define eight possible classes, four of which are defined as B-ISDN classes.

1.2 ATM Adaptation Sub-Layer

AAL is the protocol for packaging data into cells is collectively referred to as AAL. Must
efficiently package higher level data such as voice samples, video frames and datagram packets
into a series of cells. AAL is divided into two major Sublayers. This layer is service dependent
layer and used for supporting the information transfer protocol not based on ATM. These are:

A. The Convergence (CS) Sublayer: Manages the flow of data to and from SAR sublayer. The
convergence sublayer provides the functions needed to support specific applications using
AAL. Each AAL user interfaces to AAL at a service access point which is simply the address
of the application [1]. This sublayer is, then, service dependent. SAR is accountable for
packaging information received from CS into cells for transmission and unpacking the
information at the other end. The ATM layer, each cell consists of a 5-octet header and a 48-
octet information field. A chunk of data from a higher layer is being encapsulated into a
protocol data unit at the convergence sublayer.

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B. The Segmentation and Reassembly (SAR) Sublayer: breaks data into cells at the sender and
reassembles cells into larger data units at the receiver. The functions of the SAR sublayer are
segmentation of higher layer PDUs into a suitable size for the information field of the ATM cell
(48 octets) at the transmitting end and reassembly of the information fields into higher layer
PDUs at the receiving end [2].

A header and trailer which contain information necessary for reassembly and error recovery are
appended to each piece. The header contains 3 fields:

1) Segment type indicates what part of a message is contained in the payload. It has one of the
following values:
 BOM : Beginning of message
 COM : continuation of message
 EOM : End of message
 SSM : Single segment message
2) Sequence number used to detect cell insertion and cell loss.
3) Multiplexing identifier. This field is used to distinguish between data from different
connection which have been multiplexed onto a single ATM connection. The trailer contains two
fields:
 length indicator holds the number of useful data bytes in an partially full cell.
 CYC is a cyclic redundancy check used for error detection and recovery.

To support these various classes of service, a set of protocols at the AAL level have been well
defined. Each trailer block can match into segmentation and reassembly sub layer of protocol
data unit, which has a total length of 48 octets. Each 48-octet SAR-PDU fits into a distinct
ATM cell.

1.3 ATM Adaptation Layer Protocols

International Telecommunication Union has launched five AAL protocols to provide the range of
services.
AAL Type 0: This types of service is the easiest service that delivers uninterrupted
interface to ATM services without any constraint. These cells are called raw cells that

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contain 48-byte information field without any special fields. It absences guaranteed delivery
and interoperability. It Controls Signaling supports the in-band service characteristics.

AAL Type 1: This types of service affords interface for synchronous, connection
oriented data stream. It supports constant bit rate between the two terminals of an ATM
connectivity. An AAL type 1 cell consist of 4 bit sequence number, a 4 bit sequence
number protection and a 47 byte information field.

AAL Type 2: AAL type 2 service also provides interface for synchronous, connection
oriented traffic. However, this is for variable rate bit stream between the two terminals of
an ATM connectivity. It also supports delivery of isochronous services such as variable
rate video and voice.

AAL Type 3/4: This comprises wide range of services for variable rate data or bit
stream. It is appropriate not only for connection- oriented data, asynchronous traffic but
also connectionless traffic. Here ATM cells contain a 4-byte header.

AAL Type 5: AAL 5 delivers similar services as AAL 3/4, but with simplified header
information. It was originally named Simple and Efficient Adaptation Layer. It is
applicable for various application areas, IP over ATM, Ethernet over ATM and Switched
Multimegabit Data Service .When we come to AAL Type 5, which is being familiarized,
particularly in ATM local area network scenario applications. This protocol was
presented to offer a streamlined transport service for higher-layer protocols that are being
connection-oriented. AAL Type 5, it is expected that higher layer software is being
consistent for multiplexing. Generally , AAL Type 5 was announced to: Minimized protocol
handling overhead. Diminished transmission overhead. Guarantee adaptability to prevailing
transport protocols [3].

1.4 Comparison between ATM layer and OSI reference model.

The ATM physical layer, ATM layer and ATM Adaptation layer in ATM model are
similar to physical layer and data link layer of OSI reference model. ATM architecture
uses logical reference model to describe its function. ATM function corresponds to
physical layer and parts of Data link layer. It has function at layer 1 and 2 of OSI model.

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However, now a days TCP/IP is routed over ATM network which means it can also
function at layer 3 and 4 of OSI model.

Fig 1.1 OSI reference model and ATM reference model

As we move from bottom to upper layer in figure 1.1 Layer 2, the Logical link control
equivalent, known as AAL. Within this portion of the Layer 2 protocol load several sublayers
have been occurred, depending on the services required. This portion of the protocol stack is
used when mapping Frame Relay, Switched Multimegabit Data Service, or another protocol to
the ATM adaptation process.

ATM reference model crossponds as three planes which span all the layer.
a. Control: Generate manage the signaling request.
b. User: Manages data transfer.
c. Management layer:
- Layer management: manages specific function of layer.
- Plane management: manage and coordinate function related to the
whole function

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ATM Layer
 Performs framing, multiplexing, de-multiplexing of cells and also does switching.
 Generate cell header on transmitting node based on information from higher layer.
 Extracting cell header on receiving node pass payload to higher layer.
 Generic flow control

Physical Medium sublayer:

 Used for bit transfer and bit alignment.

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1.5 Conclusion

ATM supports diverse services through ATM Adaptation Layers (AALs). The AAL transmits
the ATM cells between the ATM layer and a higher layer. It performs an operation called
Segmentation and Reassembly (SAR), an important task. Data is segmented into ATM cells
while information received from the higher layers is relayed. During the process, the AAL
reassembles payloads in a format that can be understood by higher layers. ATM, as an essential
WAN protocol, also plays its major role, that is, one of informing the network about the type of
traffic to be transmitted and the traffic’s performance requirements. This concept is also
interlinked to Quality of Service (Qos), a crucial service for uninterrupted and “always up”
connectivity in businesses.

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1.6 Reference

1. Network infrastructure and architecture Designing high availability networks,

K.Iniewski, C. McCroscky and D.Minoli, jhon willey & sons Inc.

2. The network press, Encyclopedia of Networking, Second edition.

3. Wikipedia

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