Optimal multiaccess of slotted communication channels

The optimal packet arrival distribution at the input of the channel that maximises the channel throughput is found. This is used to find the optimal retransmission policy and the maximum channel throughput. A generalized channel model where simultaneous transmission of m packets is successful with probability P_c (m) is considered. Most previous studies have considered the case P_c(m)=0 for m ⩾ 2 and P_c(1)=1. The channel throughput obtained with the optimal arrival distribution (i.e., the optimal multiaccess protocol) and that with the Poisson arrival distribution (i.e., the ALOHA protocol) are compared for two specific channel models. Results are presented for a frequency-hopped spread-spectrum multiple-access system