Variable-size sliding window optical CDMA MAC protocol

We analyze an optical code-division multiple-access (CDMA) packet network with variable length data traffic. We focus on sliding window protocol with variable window size, where we propose a media access control (MAC) protocol. A model for interference level fluctuation and an accurate analysis for channel usage is presented. The system performance is evaluated using the traditional average system throughput and average delay. Finally, we apply error control codes (ECCs) in order to enhance the overall performance. Results indicate that the performance can be enhanced to reach its peak using ECC with optimum number of correctable errors.