A bandwidth-allocation-based priority mechanism for high-speed unidirectional-bus networks

A simple and effective priority mechanism for an existing MAN protocol known as the p_i-persistent protocol, a probabilistic scheduling scheme which has been shown to be suitable for applications requiring large bandwidth over long, repeater-free distances, is presented. The priority mechanism works by clipping the low priority stations in a controlled manner, thereby increasing the bandwidth available to the high priority stations, and decreasing their mean delays. The mechanisms operates entirely within the framework of the basic p_i-persistent protocol, and may be easily tailored to achieve specific performance goals by selection of a single operating parameter, regardless of the network conditions