Dynamic single-connection channel access in multichannel networks

When conventional CSMA/CD methods are applied in multichannel environments, the total system capacity is often dependent upon the static and dynamic channel assignment of user stations. If this is the case, user performance may suffer drastically since the traffic-handling capability of the system fluctuates with the system traffic (generation) statistics. The CSMA/CD/IC protocol proposed by Marsan and Roffinella (1983) does not have these shortcomings, because channels are selected for use in a dynamic fashion which follows the instantaneous system load. Unfortunately, CSMA/CD/IC requires that all stations possess a separate receiver for each channel. In the paper, the authors investigate the possibility of using a single receiver per station and yet achieve the automatic global load-balancing capability of the CSMA/CD/IC protocol. It is found that although both persistent and nonpersistent versions of MICON performed as well as CSMA/CD/IC in the tests, MICON imposes different restrictions on the system. Specifically, MICON exploits the fact that in typical network environments, complete connectivity between all stations at any time instant is not required. As a result, MICON requires additional station synchronisation and permits full connectivity only between dynamically established sets of user stations.