Abstract :
A stabilised multichannel random-access protocol based on slotted ALOHA for multihop cellular systems is proposed. The fundamental contribution is a mathematical formula for an optimal partition ratio of shared random access channels between a base station and a relay station. Numerical results show that the proposed protocol can guarantee the required utilisation or delay even if the offered load is higher than the threshold, which otherwise can cause the bistable problem of slotted ALOHA.