Four bits are allocated to the sequence number field allowing the stream of SAR-PDUs of a CS-PDU to be
numbered modulo 16.
Each SAR-PDU belonging to the same AAL connection will have its sequence number incremented by one rela-
tive to its previous sequence number.
c) Reserved field
This field is reserved for future use, e.g. for multiplexing. The need for multiplexing and other possible functions
is for further study.
If this field is used for multiplexing, then it may be used to multiplex multiple user sessions on a single ATM
layer connection of a given quality of service (QOS). The following restrictions may apply:
û services using AAL type 3 multiplexed on a single ATM layer connection must have identical QOS characteristics;
û multiplexing/demultiplexing on a single ATM layer connection using the RES field will be on a user-to-user
basis;
û a single ATM layer connection containing multiplexed AAL type 3 traffic will be administered as a single entity.
d) SAR-PDU payload field
The CS-PDU information is left justified within the SAR-PDU payload field. Any part of the SAR-PDU payload
that does not contain CS-PDU information is coded as zero.
e) Length indication field
The length indication field is binary encoded with the number of octets from the CS-PDU that are included in the SAR-PDU payload field. This field may have a value less than or equal to 44.
f) CRC field
The CRC field is filled with the value of a CRC calculation which is performed over the entire contents of the SAR-PDU, including the SAR-PDU header, SAR-PDU payload, and LI field of the SAR-PDU trailer. The CRC-10 generating polynomial is:
b) Sequence number field
Four bits are allocated to the sequence number field allowing the stream of SAR-PDUs of a CS-PDU to be
numbered modulo 16.
Each SAR-PDU, associated with a given MID value, will have its sequence number incremented by one relative to
its previous sequence number.
c) Multiplexing identification (MID) field
All SAR-PDUs of a given CS-PDU will have the same MID. The MID field is used to identify SAR-PDUs belonging
to a particular CS-PDU. The MID field assists in the interleaving of ATM-SDUs from different CS-PDUs and reassembly of these
CS-PDUs.
d) SAR-PDU payload
The CS-PDU information within the SAR-PDU payload is left justified within the field. Any part of the SAR-PDU
payload that does not contain CS-PDU information is coded as all zeros.
e) Length indication field
The length indication field is binary coded with the number of octets from the CS-PDU that are included in the SAR-PDU. This field may have a value less than or equal to 44.
f) CRC field
The CRC field is filled with the value of a CRC calculation which is performed over the entire contents of the SAR-PDU, including the SAR-PDU Header, SAR-PDU payload, and LI field of the SAR-PDU Trailer. The CRC-10 generating polynomial is:
_______________
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION
CCITT I.363
THE INTERNATIONAL
TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL
NETWORK (ISDN)
OVERALL NETWORK ASPECTS AND FUNCTIONS,
ISDN USER-NETWORK INTERFACES
B-ISDN ATM ADAPTATION LAYER
(AAL) SPECIFICATION
Recommendation I.363
Geneva, 1991
Printed in Switzerland
FOREWORD
The CCITT (the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) is a permanent organ of the Interna-
tional Telecommunication Union (ITU). CCITT is responsible for studying technical, operating and tariff questions and issuing
Recommendations on them with a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis.
The Plenary Assembly of CCITT which meets every four years, establishes the topics for study and approves
Recommendations prepared by its Study Groups. The approval of Recommendations by the members of CCITT
between Plenary Assemblies is covered by the procedure laid down in CCITT Resolution No. 2 (Melbourne, 1988).
Recommendation I.363 was prepared by Study Group XVIII and was approved under the Resolution No.
2 procedure on the 5th of April 1991.
___________________
CCITT NOTES
1) In this Recommendation, the expression "Administration" is used for conciseness to indicate both a telecommunica-
tion Administration and a recognized private operating agency.
2) A list of abbreviations used in this Recommendation can be found in Annex B.
aITU1991
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the ITU.
Preamble to B-ISDN Recommendations
In 1990, CCITT SG XVIII approved a first set of Recommendations on B-ISDN. These are:
I.113 - Vocabulary of terms for broadband aspects of ISDN
I.121 û Broadband aspects of ISDN
I.150 û B-ISDN asynchronous transfer mode functional characteristics
I.211 û B-ISDN service aspects
I.311 û B-ISDN general network aspects
I.321 û B-ISDN Protocol Reference Model and its application
I.327 û B-ISDN functional architecture
I.361 û B-ISDN ATM Layer specification
I.362 û B-ISDN ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) functional description
I.363 û B-ISDN ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) specification
I.413 û B-ISDN user-network interface
I.432 û B-ISDN user-network interface û Physical Layer specification
I.610 û Operation and maintenance principles of B-ISDN access
These Recommendations address general B-ISDN aspects as well as specific service- and network-ori-
ented issues, the fundamental characteristics of the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), a first set of relevant
ATM oriented parameters and their application at the user-network interface as well as impact on operation
and maintenance of the B-ISDN access. They are an integral part of the well established I-Series Recommen-
dations. The set of Recommendations are intended to serve as a consolidated basis for ongoing work relative to
B-ISDN both within CCITT and in other organizations. They may also be used as a first basis towards the devel-
opment of network elements.
CCITT will continue to further develop and complete these Recommendations in areas where there are
unresolved issues and develop additional Recommendations on B-ISDN in the I-Series and other series in the
future.
PAGE BLANCHE
Recommendation I.363
Recommendation I.363
B-ISDN ATM ADAPTATION LAYER (AAL) SPECIFICATION
1 Introduction
The ATM adaptation layer (AAL) enhances the service1) provided by the ATM layer to support functions
required by the next higher layer. The AAL performs functions required by the user, control and management
planes and supports the mapping between the ATM Layer and the next higher layer. The functions performed in
the AAL depend upon the higher layer requirements.
The AAL supports multiple protocols to fit the needs of the different AAL service users. The service
provided by the AAL to the higher layer and the functions performed are specified in this Recommendation.
Details of the data unit naming convention used in this Recommendation can be found in Annex A.
1.1 Scope of this Recommendation
This Recommendation describes the interactions between the AAL and the next higher layer, and the AAL
and the ATM Layer, as well as AAL peer-to-peer operations. This Recommendation is based on the classification
and the AAL functional organization described in Recommendation I.362.
Different combinations of SAR (segmentation and reassembly) sublayers and CS (convergence sublayer)
sublayer provide different service access points (SAPs) to the layer above the AAL. In some applications the SAR
and/or CS may be empty.
1.2 Information flow across the ATM-AAL boundary
The AAL receives from the ATM layer the information in the form of a 48octet ATM service data unit (ATM-
SDU). The AAL passes to the ATM Layer information in the form of a 48 octet ATM-SDU.
2 AAL type 1
2.1 Service provided by AAL type 1
2.1.1 Definitions
The services provided by AAL type 1 to the higher layer are:
û transfer of service data units with a constant source bit rate and the delivery of them with the same bit
rate;
û transfer of timing information between source and destination;
û indication of lost or errored information which is not recovered by AAL type 1.
2.1.2 Primitives
For further study.
2.2 Interaction with the management and control planes
2.2.1 Management plane
The following indications may be passed from AAL type 1 in the user plane to the management plane:
û errors in the transmission of user information;
û lost or misinserted cells (further study is required on whether it is necessary to distinguish between lost
and misinserted cells);
û cells with errored AAL protocol control information (AAL-PCI) (further study is required to determine if this
indication is necessary for services supported by this AAL type);
û loss of timing/synchronization.
2.2.2 Control plane
For further study.
2.3 Functions in AAL type 1
The following functions may be performed in the AAL in order to enhance the service provided by the ATM
layer:
a) segmentation and reassembly of user information;
b) handling of cell delay variation;
c) handling of lost and misinserted cells;
d) source clock frequency recovery at the receiver;
e) monitoring of AAL-PCI for bit errors;
f) handling of AAL-PCI bit errors;
g) monitoring of user information field for bit errors and possible corrective action (the use of this function
for voice service is for further study);
h) other service specific functions are for further study.
The allocation of these functions to the CS or SAR is for further study.
NoteûFor circuit emulation a need has been identified to monitor the end-to-end QOS. This may be
achieved by calculating a CRC for the CS-PDU payload, carried in one or more cells, and transmitting the
result in the CS-PDU or by the use of an OAM cell. Further study is required.
2.3.1 Segmentation and reassembly sublayer
2.3.1.1 Functions of the SAR sublayer
The definitions of these functions are for further study.
The SAR functions are performed on a ATM-SDU basis.
2.3.1.2 SAR-PDU structure and coding
See Figure 1/I.363.
Figure 1/I.363 = 11 cm
2.3.2 Convergence sublayer
2.3.2.1 Functions of the CS
The CS may include the following functions:
a) For high quality audio and video forward error correction may be performed to protect against bit errors.
This may be combined with bit interleaving to give more secure protection against errors.
b) For some services, this sublayer provides the clock recovery capability for the receiver e.g. by monitoring
the buffer filling. This requires no specific field in the CS-PDU.
c) For services requiring explicit time indication, this may be provided by means of a time stamp pattern
inserted in the CS-PDU. Other mechanisms may be used to provide this function.
d) Further sequence number processing may be performed at this sublayer. The handling of lost and misin-
serted cells is also performed in this sublayer.
2.3.2.2 CS-PDU structure and coding
For further study.
3 AAL type 2
3.1 Service provided by AAL type 2
3.1.1 Definitions
The services provided by AAL type 2 to the higher layer may include:
û transfer of service data units with a variable source bit rate;
û transfer of timing information between source and destination;
û indication of lost or errored information which is not recovered by AAL type 2.
3.1.2 Primitives
For further study.
3.2 Interaction with the management and control planes
3.2.1 Management plane
The following indications may be passed from the AAL type 2 in the user plane to the management plane:
û errors in the transmission of user information;
û loss of timing/synchronization;
û lost or misinserted cells (further study is required on whether it is necessary to distinguish between lost
and misinserted cells);
û cells with errored AAL-PCI (further study is required to determine if this indication is necessary for all ser-
vices supported by this AAL type).
3.2.2 Control plane
For further study.
3.3 Functions in AAL type 2
The following functions may be performed in the AAL type 2 in order to enhance the service provided by
the ATM layer:
a) segmentation and reassembly of user information;
b) handling of cell delay variation;
c) handling of lost and misinserted cells;
d) source clock frequency recovery at the receiver;
e) monitoring of AAL-PCI for bit errors;
f) handling of AAL-PCI bit errors;
g) monitoring of user information field for bit errors and possible corrective action (the use of this function
for voice service is for further study).
The allocation of these functions to the CS or SAR is for further study. Other service specific functions
are for further study.
3.3.1 Segmentation and reassembly sublayer
3.3.1.1 Functions of the SAR
For further study.
The SAR functions are performed on a ATM-SDU basis. As the SAR accepts variable length CS-PDUs
from the convergence sublayer the SAR-PDUs may need to be partially filled.
3.3.1.2 SAR-PDU structure and coding
The SAR-PDU structure and coding requires urgent further study.
Examples of SAR functions and a SAR-PDU structure that are for further study are given below:
Figure 2/I.363 = 14 cm
3.3.2 Convergence sublayer
3.3.2.1 Functions of the CS
The functions to be performed are for further study.
The convergence sublayer may perform the following functions:
a) Clock recovery for variable bit rate audio and video services by means of the insertion of a time stamp or
real time synchronization word in the CS-PDU. Other mechanisms may be used to provide this function.
b) Sequence number processing may be performed to detect the loss or misinsertion of ATM-SDUs. The han-
dling of lost and misinserted ATM-SDUs is also performed in this sublayer.
c) For audio and video services forward error correction may be performed.
3.3.2.2 CS-PDU structure and coding
For further study.
4 AAL type 3
4.1 Service provided by AAL type 3
The need for the following modes of service and operational procedures in this AAL type requires further
study.
Two modes of service are defined: message and streaming.
a) Message mode service: This service provides the transport of a single AAL service data unit (AAL-SDU) in
one (or, optionally more than one) convergence sublayer protocol data units (CS-PDUs);
b) Streaming mode service: This service provides the transport of one or more fixed size AAL service data
units (SDU1-SDUn) in one convergence sublayer PDU (CS-PDU). The AAL-SDU may be as small as one octet, and is
always delivered as a unit, because it is the atomic unit of data recognized by the application.
Both modes of service may offer the following peer-to-peer operational procedures:
û Assured operations: Every assured AAL-SDU is delivered with exactly the data content that the user sent.
The assured service is provided by retransmission of missing or corrupted CS-PDUs. Flow control is provided as a man-
datory feature. The assured operation may be restricted to point-to-point ATM layer connections.
û Non-assured operations: Integral AAL-SDUs may be lost or corrupted. Lost and corrupted AAL-SDUs will
not be corrected by retransmission. An optional feature may be provided to allow corrupted AAL-SDUs to be delivered to
the user (i.e. optional error discard). Flow control may be provided as an option on point-to-point ATM layer connections.
However, no flow control is provided on point-to-multipoint ATM layer connections.
These procedures are for further study.
4.1.1 Definitions
For further study.
4.1.2 Primitives
For further study.
4.2 Interaction with the management and control planes
4.2.1 Management plane
For further study.
4.2.2 Control plane
For further study.
4.3 Functions in AAL type 3
4.3.1 Segmentation and reassembly sublayer (SAR)
4.3.1.1 Functions of the SAR sublayer
The SAR sublayer functions are performed on an ATM-SDU basis. The SAR sublayer accepts variable length
CS-PDUs from the convergence sublayer, and generates SAR-PDUs containing up to 44 octets of CS-PDU data.
The SAR sublayer functions may provide the means for the transfer of multiple variable length CS-
PDUs concurrently over a single ATM layer connection between AAL entities.
a) Preservation of CS-PDU
This function preserves each CS-PDU by providing for a segment type indication and a SAR-PDU payload
fill indication. The SAR-PDU payload fill indication identifies the number of octets of CS-PDU information contained within
the SAR-PDU payload. The Segment Type indication identifies a SAR-PDU as being a Beginning of Message (BOM), Con-
tinuation of Message (COM), End of Message (EOM), or Single Segment Message (SSM).
b) Error Detection
This function provides the means to detect:
û bit errors in the SAR-PDU,
û lost or misinserted SAR-PDUs.
The presence of either type of error may be indicated to the CS.
c) Multiplexing/demultiplexing
This function provides for multiplexing/demultiplexing of multiple CS-PDUs concurrently from multiple AAL
connections over a single ATM layer connection.
The necessity of this function for AAL type 3 requires further study.
4.3.1.2 SAR-PDU structure and coding
The SAR sublayer functions require a 2 octet SAR-PDU header and a 2 octet SAR-PDU trailer. The
SAR-PDU header and trailer together with the 44 octets of SAR-PDU payload comprise the 48 octet ATM-SDU
(cell payload). The sizes and positions of the fields are given in Figure 3/I.363.
Figure 3/I.363 = 9 cm
The coding of SAR-PDU conforms to the coding conventions specified in _ 2.1 of RecommendationI.361.
a) Segment type field
The association between the encoding and the meaning of the segment type field is shown in Table1/I.363.
G(x) = 1 + x + x4 + x5 + x9 + x10
The result of the CRC calculation is placed with the least significant bit right justified in the CRC field.
4.3.2 Convergence sublayer (CS)
4.3.2.1 Function of CS
For further study.
4.3.2.2 CS structure and coding
For further study.
5 AAL type 4
5.1 Service provided by the AAL type 4
AAL type 4 provides the capabilities to transfer the AAL-SDU for one AAL user to one or more AAL users
through the ATM network.
Two modes of service are defined: message and streaming.
a) message mode service:
This service provides the transport of a single AAL service data unit (AAL-SDU) in one (or, optionally more
than one) convergence sublayer protocol data units (CS-PDUs);
b) streaming mode service:
This service provides the transport of one or more fixed size AAL service data units (SDU1-SDUn) in one
convergence sublayer PDU (CS-PDUs). The AAL-SDU may be as small as one octet, and is always delivered as a unit,
because it is the atomic unit of data recognized by the application.
The application of these modes to a particular service is service dependent and requires further study.
Both modes of service may offer the following peer-to-peer operational procedures:
û Assured operations: Every assured AAL-SDU is delivered with exactly the data content that the user sent.
The assured service is provided by retransmission of missing or corrupted CS-PDUs. Flow control is provided as a man-
datory feature. The assured operation may be restricted to point-to-point ATM layer connections. Assured operation may
not be necessary in a connectionless environment.
û Non-assured operations: Integral AAL-SDUs may be lost or corrupted. Lost and corrupted AAL-SDUs will
not be corrected by retransmission. An optional feature may be provided to allow corrupted AAL-SDUs to be delivered to
the user (i.e. optional error discard). Flow control may be provided as an option on point-to-point ATM layer connections.
However, no flow control is provided on point-to-multipoint ATM layer connections.
These procedures are for further study.
5.1.1 Definitions for AAL type 4
The AAL type 4 provides the capabilities to transfer the AAL-SDU from one AAL-SAP to one or more AAL-
SAPs through the ATM network (see Figure 4a/I.363 and 4b/I.363). The AAL-users will have the capability to
select a given AAL-SAP associated with the QOS required, to transport that AAL-SDU (for example, delay, loss
sensitive QOS).
Figure 4/I.363 (a and b) = 16,5 cm
AAL type 4 makes use of the service provided by the underlying ATM layer (see Figure 5/I.363). Multiple
AAL connections may be associated with a single ATM layer connection, allowing cell multiplexing at the AAL.
The AAL user selects the QOS provided in the AAL by the choice of the AAL-SAP used for data transfer.
Figure 5/I.363 = 5,6 cm
5.1.2 Primitives
At each AAL-SAP, the primitives provided by AAL type 4 will include the following primitives to the AAL-
user:
a) Primitives
AAL-UNITDATA-request (AAL-SAP-ID1), DATA): The AAL-UNITDATA-request primitive requests the transfer of an
AAL-SDU from the local AAL-entity to a single peer AAL-entity, or multiple peer AAL-entities.
