On the reservation multiple access protocols for future mobile communication systems

The need for high capacity and flexible air interface is driven by service requirements of the future third generation communication systems. Among the design parameters, not only does the choice multiple access technique greatly influence the spectrum efficiency, it also dictates the total system design. Despite the recent phenomenal growth in the number of proposed multiple access protocols for voice/data systems, general methods for comparison are lacking in the literature. A comprehensive performance comparison of an important class of multi-access protocols, known as reservation-based random access protocols, is presented. Two main performance evaluation techniques are used: (1) cross comparison and (2) internal comparison. In the former method, the performances of protocols are compared with each other under the same system specifications. In the latter method, protocols are compared against their respective dynamic upper bounds. This dynamic upper bound is mathematically analysed using the "queueing theory". Then, a comprehensive comparison of the existing reservation-based protocols is performed and discussed using the both collation methods. Finally, conclusions are drawn and future research directions are proposed.