Random-access systems with a time varying channel

A random multiple-access system which employs a collision resolution algorithm for accessing a common time-varying channel is considered. The channel is assumed to be in one of two states. In each state, the channel is characterized by a general discrete memoryless channel and the transitions between the two states are assumed to be Markovian. A set of sufficient conditions for the ergodicity (stability) of the system is established. As an example, the case when the Capetanakis tree algorithm operates with a time-varying noisy channel is examined. The stability of this system is analyzed, and the throughput is evaluated.<>