Abstract: STARMAP is a new, active star-configured, multiple access protocol designed particularly for very high-speed fiber optic LANs but equally applicable to lower speed copper based systems. The main features include: collision-free operation; no packet retransmissions; bounded access delay time; high degree of service fairness; no back-off algorithm required; an integrated data/voice transmission capability; a Universal, a Selective and a Local (Global & Selective) Broadcast capability; very high security; Local Selective Broadcast packets never leave the local hub; a relative insensitivity to `Master' hub failure; preemptive and nonpreemptive priority packet service scheme; novel variable delay register in the hubs; excellent natural diagnostic capability; Loop Creating Links significantly improve network performance; true parallel transmissions. Computer simulations of example STARMAP networks show that at typical values of the offered traffic load, the network throughput exceeds the link bit rate and in the limit, approaches a value equal to the product of the link bit rate and the number of hubs in the network. The useful life of twisted wire pair and coaxial cable based networks may be significantly extended due to the substantial increases in network throughput achievable. !12
展开▼
