Twelve random access strategies for fiber-optic networks.

Twelve random access strategies are described and compared that do not have the (Distance * Transmission)/(Packet Size) Rate constraint of conventional CSMA-CD protocols. These access strategies can use the high transmission rates and distance covered by fiber-optic networks. The twelve strategies consist of three protocols, each of which can use two timing arrangements and two network access devices. The three protocols are the standard Aloha protocol, LCSMA, and LCSMA-CD. The last two protocols operate on linear unidirectional networks and use local information at the transmitter to increase the throughout of the system. The networks considered in this paper have a common point that all transmitted signals pass through before received. This makes two timing arrangements possible, a slotted system or an unslotted system. Finally, the taps on the network can be passive or active.