Media access control layer for satellite ATM networks

1. Field of the Invention A mapping scheme that maps standard ATMs service classes () of the type used in a wired communications network into one of a plurality of available media access control channels () that allow the particular ATM service class () to be transmitted efficiently over the network, such as a satellite network. The various media access controlled channel types () reside in a media access control layer () between the ATM layer () and the physical layer (). A predetermined uplink user protocol is assigned to each MAC channel to efficiently transmit to the ATM cells on the satellite uplink.