Estimated-queue expanded bus (EQEB) protocol for single-hop multichannel lightwave networks

The estimated queue expanded bus (EQEB) protocol is proposed to extend the distributed queue dual bus (DQDB) protocol for multichannel operation. The EQEB can increase the bus capacity while reducing the node complexities. Network simulations for 1024 nodes on 16 channels demonstrate that a throughput of >or=0.8 per channel per bus can be achieved even under heavily overloaded conditions. Fairness of access is also demonstrated.