MAC algorithms and procedures are oriented to optimize channel use. Of course, the terms “optimize” and “use” are subject of interpretation and many different algorithms have been developed over the years. Some are designed to optimize throughput while others optimize latency, or both, based on the physical channel characteristics and traffic.
Instead of simulating several specific MAC implementations1, the Limited Bandwidth Simulation Transport (LBST) has a generic MAC layer with parameters that let you simu- late the effects of most of them.
This release includes simulation of generic multiple access algorithms, those where any station can transmit data at any time. Future releases may include TDMA and/or other collision-free access control methods.
Our generic MAC Layer puts information on the channel in chunks or frames of a deter- mined maximum size. It may wait for a time before and/or after putting the data on the channel. We call these wait times guards that model the effect of different MAC algorithms on channel usage.