Value-based multiplexing of time-critical traffic

The concept of message `value´ is used as a means of measuring performance. A `value function´ is defined for each message and represents its value to the intended recipient as a function of the total delay in transporting it. These value functions not only incorporate the usual notions of relative priority (i.e. importance) between different messages but also capture the time-critical characteristics that arise in many applications. Value-based network operation could permeate all layers of communications operation, provided messages are tagged with their value functions. Emphasis is placed here on a single node that multiplexes messages for a single transmitter, and a value-based multiplexing protocol called maximum utility scheduling for transmission (MUST) is defined. Simulation results are presented, and they indicate that MUST outperforms any of the conventional protocols of FIFO (first in, first out), LIFO (last in, first out), and fixed priorities. Both nonpreemptive and preemptive repeat disciplines are considered. Some possible areas for extending this research are suggested