A new class of protocols for multiple access in satellite networks

In this paper, a class of multiple access schemes is introduced, especially suited for use in packet switched satellite networks. These schemes, called the Interleaved Frame Flush-Out (IFFO) protocols, are characterized by the mixing of free contention and regulated access for the use of the satellite channel. Such hybrid schemes possess desirable features of both extreme strategies and have a built-in capability to adapt to the traffic load profile. A Markov chain model is introduced for their description and analysis, and an optimization problem is formulated for choosing the "best" among the members of this class of protocols. The performance of the protocols is evaluated by computation and simulation, and comparison to other protocols. It is shown to be stable and superior to that of the other protocols over a wide range of throughput values.