Equilibrium point analysis of the binary exponential backoff algorithm

A Markovian model of the backoff algorithm used in the slotted 1-persistent carrier sense multiple access/collision detection (CSMA/CD) access protocol is developed in order to analyze the performance of such a network. Due to its complexity, the existing models of the CSMA/ CD protocol do not incorporate the effects of the backoff algorithm. In this work, we developed an approximate Markovian model of the system with a multidimensional state vector and we used the equilibrium point analysis technique in order to analyze the model. The throughput±delay characteristics and the stability behavior of the system are extracted, which conform the simulation results and the predictions of other theoretical models presented in the literature.