초록 ▼

A class of adaptive hybrid multiple access protocols for a single channel, time division communications network dynamically switches among contention (Aloha), reservation, and fixed assignment (TDMA) protocols as a function of the traffic on the channel. This class of protocols is referred to as “Al

A class of adaptive hybrid multiple access protocols for a single channel, time division communications network dynamically switches among contention (Aloha), reservation, and fixed assignment (TDMA) protocols as a function of the traffic on the channel. This class of protocols is referred to as “Aloha-Reservation-TDMA”or “ART”class protocols. Within the ART class, a subclass of protocols is defined for satellite communication networks. This subclass is referred to as “Adaptive Satellite Hybrid Access”or “ASHA,”and two examples of protocols within the ASHA subclass are described to show the viability of the ART class protocols. These protocols are referred to as ASHA1 and ASHA2. Both the ASHA1 and ASHA2 protocols combine the features of S-ALOHA, TDMA-Reservation and TDMA protocols. The ASHA1 protocol transmits reservation information when the Aloha protocol is selected, but the ASHA2 protocol does not. An Aloha/Reservation adaptive hybrid protocol is described in which the switch from the Reservation protocol to the Aloha protocol occurs when a reservation queue has been clear for a predetermined non-zero number of time slots. A Reservation/TDMA adaptive hybrid protocol is described in which the switch between the Reservation protocol and the TDMA protocol occurs when a predetermined number of stations on the network have transmitted information packets within a window. An Aloha/TDMA adaptive hybrid protocol is also described in which the switch from the Aloha protocol to the TDMA protocol occurs when a predetermined number of information packets have collided within a window.

대표청구항 ▼

A communications station for use on a single channel, time division, multiple access network, said single channel being divided into a plurality of time slots, said communications station comprising in combination; selectable Aloha protocol means for transmitting and receiving message information pa

A communications station for use on a single channel, time division, multiple access network, said single channel being divided into a plurality of time slots, said communications station comprising in combination; selectable Aloha protocol means for transmitting and receiving message information packets using an Aloha protocol; selectable Reservation protocol means for transmitting and receiving message information packets using a Reservation protocol; selectable TDMA protocol means for transmitting and receiving message information packets using a TDMA protocol; first switching means for switching between said Aloha protocol means and said Reservation protocol means; and second switching means for switching between said Reservation protocol means and said TDMA protocol means.