A Modified PRMA Protocol for Joint Voice Data Packet Wireless Networks

This paper discusses the possibility of using the Packet Reservation Multiple Access (PRMA) protocol to provide spatially dispersed voice and data user terminals wireless access to a base station over a common short-range radio channel. The case of ideal radio channel propagation conditions as well as that of non-ideal and non-stationary radio channel propagation conditions is considered. A modified PRMA (MPRMA) protocol is proposed in order to enhance system performance under heavy traffic load conditions. A technique to break off the possibility of accessing the common radio channel by a data user terminal is also discussed to avoid unsuccessful transmission of data packets during poor channel conditions. Performance comparisons with the standard PRMA protocol clearly point out a better behavior for the proposed MPRMA protocol.