Importance

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Abstract

A system and a method for a dynamic probability access protocol for determining access to shared channels. Some networks have a common channel which is shared by many users. A key issue in such networks is the allocation of the shared channel among many competing users. The system and method of the present invention enable media access control in shared bandwidth networks. When the user wishes to send a message, the user transmits with a probability p, which depends on the load on the channel. The probability p is announced by the network, and transmitted to the users as a broadcast message. Under conditions of low load, the probability p approaches 1, while at high load p is relatively low. This media access control protocol guarantees high channel utilization at high load, as well as low delay at low load periods. The proposed method is applicable on wireless networks, such as cellular networks and satellite-based networks. In addition, the method and system of the present invention can be used in wired networks, for other applications such as local area networks (LAN), client/server networks, and accessing a Web site through the Internet. The method and system of the present invention are able to reduce the likelihood of collisions, without increasing the access delay at low load periods.

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First Claim