Capture in multiple access lightwave networks employing direct detect modulations

The existence of capture in multiple access lightwave networks using on-off keying (OOK) and pulse position modulation (PPM) is demonstrated. The phenomenon is similar to the capture in radio multiple access networks. Capture plays a significant role in the multiple access protocols of wireless lightwave networks. For example, carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) is a straightforward choice for wireless data networks. With capture occurring, CSMA or CSMA-CD (collision detection) of CSMA-CA (collision avoidance) in lightwave wireless networks seems to increase delay statistics. For other potential multiple access protocols, the presence of a strong transmission may prevent other mobile or portable nodes from transmitting successfully