Media access control for high-speed local area and metropolitan area communications networks

• Published in: Proceedings of the IEEE 1990-01, Vol.78 (1), p.168-203
• Main Authors: Rubin, I., Baker, J.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access protocols; Applied sciences; Broadcasting; Communication networks; Exact sciences and technology; Integrated circuit interconnections; LAN interconnection; Local area networks; Media Access Protocol; Organization and planning of networks (techniques and equipments); Spine; Systems, networks and services of telecommunications; Telecommunications; Telecommunications and information theory; Time division multiple access; Urban areas
• ISSN: 0018-9219; 1558-2256
• DOI: 10.1109/5.52204

The features, architectures, and principles of key media access control (MAC) schemes for high-speed LAN and MAN systems are categorized and reviewed. These architectures are related to the hierarchical structure of a telecommunications network. An overview is given of the MAC protocol operation of key local- and metropolitan-area network systems, as defined by standards committees, covering current methods as well as approaches for future broadband integrated services digital networks. Modeling and analysis techniques are then reviewed for key classes of relevant MAC schemes, including fixed-assignment time-division-multiaccess (TDMA) schemes; demand-assignment reservation schemes, involving, in particular, pure packet-switched, pure circuit-switched and hybrid-switched integrated-services demand-assignment TDMA and time-division-multiplexing structures; demand-assigned polling procedures; and random-access policies.< >