Protocol for a slotted ring network as an integrated voice and data carrier

This paper proposes a protocol for integrating voice and data traffic onto a slotted ring network. The performance of the protocol is investigated through simulations by modeling voice traffic as having alternating talkspurts and silence periods. Voice traffic is also given priority over data traffic because of real-time delivery requirement. The simulation shows that the network can effectively handle both traffic without deteriorating data transmission excessively. The scheme proposed uses only one bit for acknowledgement of data packets which is allowed to ride on the voice packet. This method thus prevents the data acknowledgement process from being severely interrupted by voice transmission.<>