A packet voice/data access protocol for ring networks

An integrated access protocol is defined for token-ring local area networks supporting packet voice and data services. Voice and data cycles are defined, and a suitable mechanism is adopted to alternate the two cycles. Access to the network is guaranteed to all voice users during the former and to at least one data user during the latter. Voice packets have a variable size which is determined by the current traffic conditions, i.e. by the voice and data cycle durations. This allows the network performance to be optimized for the voice traffic. At the same time the access protocol is able to guarantee a minimum data bandwidth. The voice delay performance of this protocol is shown to be better than that of the standard token protocol.<>