A distributed fair, and efficient protocol for integrated voice/data services on token ring networks

A protocol is proposed which supports integrated services on a token ring network. The key features of the protocol are: (1) both synchronous and asynchronous traffic, such as voice and data, are supported, (2) the control station of the protocol is not assigned to a fixed station, and thus the protocol is more distributedly controlled, (3) all voice stations have a fair chance of accessing the channel, (4) data traffic has a higher chance of accessing the channel without influencing the quality of the synchronous traffic, and (5) expedited data traffic is supported. An analytic model and simulations are included to show that this protocol is robust, efficient, and fair and that it presents small delay for data traffic