Performance modeling of distributed multiaccess protocols

The authors present a general model which can be used to analyze and compare the steady-state behavior of these protocols in a unified manner. The global behavior of a multiaccess protocol for a bus network is characterized by a transmission phase, a resolution phase, and an idle phase. Steady-state equations for a general service distribution are derived for each phase using the method of supplementary variables. The resulting model is then used to determine the steady-state behavior of two classes of networks: those with a finite number of stations and those with a number of stations large enough to be considered infinite. Numerical examples are then given for two specific service distributions to illustrate the effect of specific parameters on the performance of a multiaccess protocol.<>