Optimal controlled ALOHA for two-way data communication in a cable television network

Based on a unified analysis of both pure and slotted ALOHA systems, a new control algorithm for ALOHA systems is proposed. A feature of great practical importance is the algorithm’s automatic adjustment to changes in average traffic intensity or the (finite or infinite) number of active stations in the system. In addition, the algorithm has a low-complexity implementation. Computer simulations, concentrating on the use for two-way data communication in a cable television network, have demonstrated that the practical performance of the algorithm closely approximates the theoretical optimum, even under extremely heavy traffic load conditions. Furthermore, dynamic performance simulations have shown that the algorithm assures swift recovery from overload situations.