We study the multiple access protocols over the CATV (cable TV)/HFC (hybrid fiber coaxial) networks. The core of the medium access control in such an environment is the multiple access protocol since many subscribers share the same cable (or fiber) for transmissions. We then outline a general form of almost all historical multiple access protocols and reveal some common properties among these miscellaneous algorithms. Based on these observations, we describe the draft protocol (Ternary Tree Collision Resolution Algorithm with Variable Entry Persistence, P-Tree for short) for the IEEE P802.14 and use simulations to depict the dominant factors for designing efficient protocols over CATV/HFC networks.

The randomly addressed polling (RAP) protocol together with the generalized multi-layer collision resolution (MCR) protocol have been proposed and demonstrated as efficient, flexible and robust MAC protocols over the wireless network. We present a comprehensive study on the adaptive control schemes and the stability issues of this family of protocols over some centralized controlled network topologies, such as wireless, CATV (cable television), HFC (hybrid fiber/coaxial), and even satellite networks. Under the assumption of an infinite number of stations, we show that the proposed adaptive algorithm actually helps in stabilizing this family of protocols, and we also show that each packet only experiences a finite delay when the adaptive control scheme is employed.

A general multi-layer collision avoidance/resolution (MULCAR) protocol for multiple access in packet switching networks is proposed. Such a scheme possesses great flexibility and can be widely applied in wireless or even wire-based networks, by adequate tailoring of the layers and adjustment of the parameters accordingly. It is originated from the savvy of a classification of historical multi-access protocols by the tree-expansion point of view, which includes collision anticipation tree expansion (CATE) and collision resolution tree expansion (CRTE). Therefore, MULCAR basically possesses the competence of exploring the insight of general multiple access problem.