A protocol for random multiple access of packets with mixed priorities in wireless networks

Random multiple access (RMA) protocols comprise an important class for the accessing/signaling stage in multimedia ATM wireless networks. Within the RMA class, the ALOHA algorithm is most widely used, while, as is well known, the latter algorithm becomes unstable, as the user population increases. We consider the part-and-try algorithm, instead, for a system with different priorities. Based on this algorithm, we construct a mixed priority protocol whose total throughput for all priorities combined equals 0.487. In the special and important ATM case of two, low- and high-priorities, with respective Poisson intensities /spl lambda//sub L/ and /spl lambda//sub H/. We also present an analytical methodology which allows the computation of the average packet delays as the functions of the rates /spl lambda//sub L/ and /spl lambda//sub H/.