"Optical communications and fiber technology are fast becoming key solutions for the increasing bandwidth demands of the 21st century. This introductory text provides practicing engineers, managers, and students with a useful guide to the latest developments and future trends of three major technologies: SONET, SDH, and ATM, and a brief introduction to legacy TDM communications systems. There are clear explanations of: * How ATM is mapped onto SONET/SDH * The role of IP networking with ATM * Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) * The future direction of convergence of communications. This concise book features easy-to-follow illustrations, review questions, worked examples, and valuable references. An accompanying CD-ROM provides the key figures in full color, suitable for easy cut-and-paste presentations. UNDERSTANDING SONET/SDH AND ATM is a must-read for communication professionals who want to improve their knowledge of this emerging technology." Sponsored by: IEEE Communications Society.