The superchannel scheme for integrated services on multiple access broadcast networks

A scheme for integrated service on multiple-access broadcast networks (MABNs) based on the superchannel concept is proposed, and a protocol for voice/data integration is described. The superchannel is a logical channel which is established on existing MABNs, and each channel can carry a different type of traffic under a special control protocol. The scheme is fully compatible with existing MABNs. For example, data stations can operate using their original protocol. By introducing a priority boundary, the channel utilization is improved under heavy voice traffic and light data load, while still maintaining a desired level of performance if the combined voice/data traffic load is heavy. Since interference of voice and data traffic only appears at the boundary of the superchannel cycle, the protocol can be relatively easily extended for multiple traffic types