An analysis of satellite demand assignment systems for data packets and time-slotted channels

A general model, consisting of a reservation-allocation process and a transmission process, was postulated and is applicable to several categories of satellite capacity allocation schemes. The capacity of a time-slotted channel is defined as the number of channel slots available during a specified interval of time, such as a frame interval. Capacity allocation schemes are categorized according to their application in satellite channels with fixed frame intervals, variable frame intervals, and no identifiable frame structure. The approach to analysis of this model leads to the formulation of a generating function for the distribution of the number of packets just prior to channel availability. The average number of packets queued and the average packet delay are developed from this function. Approximations, bounds and computer simulations are developed where detailed analysis became difficult.