Throughput analysis of the IEEE 802.4 priority scheme

The IEEE 802.4 token bus standard defines an optional priority scheme to handle multiple classes of data. It allocates the channel bandwidth among different priority classes of messages by a set of timers at each station. An analytical model for the priority scheme is presented. The model relates the throughput of each priority class of messages to the traffic intensities of different classes, the target rotation times, and the high-priority token holding time. The network is assumed to be symmetric with respect to its parameters and the traffic distribution among nodes. Simulation results are used to evaluate the accuracy of the model. The model provides means of evaluating the network throughput and can be used to determine the time values to meet the throughput requirements of different classes of traffic