A TDMA based access control scheme for an ATM passive optical tree network

This paper proposes a MAC protocol for a broadband access facility, using an ATM Passive Optical Network with a tree structure. Access to a shared medium is controlled by means of a request/permit mechanism and allows a flexible way of access for services which are sensitive for (variation in) delay and for Available Bit Rate & Connection Less services. In order to guarantee a fast reaction time on changing traffic characteristics and a flexible use of available data rate, Request Access Blocks are introduced. Quantitative simulation studies show that the traffic distortion caused by the proposed MAC protocol is very small. An additional complex traffic shaper is therefore not necessary. Moreover, the protocol still provides a good performance with respect to transfer delay.