An access protocol for use with a wide range of network environments

Abstract

This paper describes a versatile media access network protocol - H3M. The H3M (Heterogeneous, Hierarchical, Highly Mobile) architecture incorporates within its structure both synchronous and asynchronous message handling; two mechanisms of effective capacity utilization and recovery (1) dynamic subframe switching and variable frequency, and (2) variable bandwidth software radio transceivers; the ability to operate with minimal routing protocols; and minimal control signaling and switching. Interconnection and interfacing with other protocols such as ATM and Ethernet is almost transparent and can be done with minimal repacketing. Further, H3M can be used in wired local area networks, can use WAN to interconnect effectively to distributed H3M network clusters, and can be adapted with minor modifications to be used in aircraft and near-Earth satellite communication networks. In this paper, we discuss H3M's versatility and present simulator performance information which demonstrates that it can deliver needed QoS for both synchronous and asynchronous messages over a wide range of load conditions.