The power function as a performance and comparison measure for ATM switches

We apply the notion of power, as has been defined by one of the authors for a general communications system, to ATM switching systems. In general, the power of a system synthesizes basic performance metrics such as the system's throughput, mean delay and packet loss. This integrated measure can be used to characterize the performance of a system (e.g., identify its optimal operating point) or even to compare it to other systems. We utilize the power function to systematically quantify and compare the performance of ATM switches.