Performance modelling of an Idle-Signal Casting Multiple Access with Failure Detection (ICMA/FD) mobile PRLAN

Abstract

We propose and analyze the performance of an Idle-Signal Casting Multiple Access with Failure Detection (ICMA/FD) protocol suitable for use in a mobile PRLAN. The analysis takes into account the effects of multipath signal fading on channel access and packet transmission. Numerical results, which are validated by computer simulations, are presented to enable a quantitative study of the system performance. It is found that the performance of the ICMA/FD protocol is affected significantly by fading on the base-to-mobile channel. In addition, performance improves with longer packets even though such packets are more vulnerable to failure due to fading during transmission.