Abstract
A combined random/reservation multiple access (CRRMA) scheme for packet-switched communication over a global beam satellite with on-board processing is proposed and analyzed. Channel time is divided into contiguous slots; each slot contains N minislots for transmission of request packets and N' minislots for data. With N substantially smaller than the number of earth stations, collisions will occur in request packet transmissions. Two channel access algorithms for the CRRMA model are proposed: uncontrolled channel access (UCA) and controlled channel access (CCA). UCA is simpler but has an inherent stability problem particularly when the number of minislots N is small. The CCA algorithm restricts the transmission of request packets for new arrivals to take place only when the slot is in the FREE state. With N = 3 , the CCA algorithm exhibits good delay-throughput characteristics. As N increases, the UCA algorithm offers stable operation. For N \geq 5 the simpler UCA algorithm is preferred over CCA.