A protocol for random multiple access of packets with mixed priorities in wireless networks

Random multiple access (RMA) protocols comprise an important class for the accessing/signaling stage in multimedia ATM wireless networks. Within the RMA class, the ALOHA algorithm is most widely used at this point in time, while, as is well known, the latter algorithm becomes unstable, as the user population increases. In this paper, we consider the part-and-try algorithm, instead, for a system with different priorities. Based on this algorithm, we construct a mixed priority protocol whose total throughput-for all priorities combined-equals 0.487. In the special and important for ATM case of two, low, and high priorities, with respective Poisson intensities λ_L and λ_H. We also present an analytical methodology which allows the computation of the average packet delays as functions of the rates λ_L and λ_H