Multichannel Local Area Network Protocols

Multiple-access protocols suitable for packet switching local area networks that use several parallel broadcast channels are presented and analyzed by evaluating their throughput and delay characteristics. The local network architecture is first described, then the network performances are evaluated considering a variety of multiple-access schemes that are derived from CSMA and CSMA-CD protocols, by extending the original single channel schemes to a multiple channel system. It is shown that significant performance improvements are achievable with the multiple channel option. Further advantages obtained with the proposed network architecture are a higher reliability and fault tolerance, and a modular network design that allows a gradual system growth following users' demands.