A fast-response data communications system for airline reservations

A data-communications system providing 1-second responses to queries from airline reservation sets is based upon the use of 1,000-baud lines and a free-flow transfer buffer concept. On-line reliability is obtained by a loop arrangement and dual terminals. Considerations in the design of this system which are described include coding, error detection, and reliability. A queuing model is discussed in relation to its use in specifying peak response performance based upon nonqueue measurements.