Optical fiber multichannel local area networks

The throughput and average delay for a fiber-optic multichannel local area network (LAN) is derived. This system, which can be seen as an extension of the classical single-channel local area networks, provides fault tolerance and reliability as well as better capacity and throughput characteristics than single-channel networks. The average system delay is smaller only at high load and larger at low load. Expressnet and Fasnet, two round-robin protocols specifically designed for unidirectional systems, are considered in detail for nongated sequential service (NGSS). The developed analysis is easily extended to any round-robin protocol.<>