Real-time continuous media traffic, such as digital video and audio, i
s expected to comprise a large percentage of the network load on futur
e high speed packet switch networks such as ATM. A major feature which
distinguishes high speed networks from traditional slower speed netwo
rks is the large amount of data the network must process very quickly.
For efficient network usage, traffic control mechanisms are essential
. Currently, most mechanisms for traffic control (such as flow control
) have centered on the support of Available Bit Rate (ABR), i.e, non r
eal-time traffic. Traffic control for continuous media traffic is an i
nherently difficult problem due to the time-sensitive nature of the tr
affic and its unpredictable bit rate variability. In this study, we pr
esent a scheme which controls traffic by dynamically allocating/de-all
ocating resources among competing VCs based upon their real-time requi
rements. This scheme incorporates a form of rate-control, real-time bu
rst-level scheduling and link-link flow control. We show analytically
potential performance improvements of our rate-control scheme, and pre
sent a scheme for buffer dimensioning. We also present simulation resu
lts of our schemes and discuss the trade-offs inherent in maintaining
high network utilization and statistically guaranteeing many users' Qu
ality of Service.