A comparison between single and multi-channel CSMA/CD protocols of equivalent capacity

Abstract This paper presents the comparison between single channel and multi-channel Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols for broadband optical Local Area Networks. The multi-channel protocol exploits the Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) techniques (each channel corresponds to a different optical wavelength allocated dynamically) and it is based on the Ethernet standard, using a Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) scheme. Average delay and efficiency are taken as performance criteria for the simulation of the protocols. Comparison of single channel and multi-channel protocols with different total capacity has been carried out using a MAC protocol simulator. We show that multi-channel protocols make a more efficient use of the available capacity than single channel protocols. This paper illustrates the advantage of distributing total capacity over several channels with an appropriate protocol.