Inverse Multiplexing for ATM
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IMA (Inverse Multiplexing for ATM) is technology used to transport ATM traffic over a bundle of T1 or E1 cables, also knows as IMA Group. This allows for gradual increase in line capacity, where implementing high-capacity solution (e.g. optical fiber) is not deemed feasible. The maximum number of cables in an IMA Group is 32, bringing the total data rate to roughly 64 MBit/second.
ATM cell insertion happens in the round robin fashion and is transparent for the terminal equipment on the ends of the link. IMA inverse multiplexing functionality requires some overhead (ICP or IMA Control Protocol cells, typically one ICP cell in every IMA frame--commonly 128 cells in length--and in CTC or Common Transmit Clock mode, an ICP stuff cell must be inserted after every 2048 cells), and an IMA sublayer on the physical layer.
