Using CSMA-CD arbitration in multiple channel architectures

Multiple Channel Architecture (MCA) computer systems need high speed optical communication channels that quickly transfer control between multiple masters. Many optical channel arbitration methods have been studied for use in local area networks including the ALOHA, Code Division Multiple Access (CSMA), and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA-CD) protocols. Described are the properties required for MCA arbitration methods, details of the CSMA-CD protocol used in this study, and recent results showing message traffic histograms of a MCA computer simulation utilizing CSMA-CD arbitration and a transmission rate of 2 Gbit/sec.