The Channel Allocation Problem

Channel Allocation Problem

The channel allocation problem is "How to allocate a single broadcast channel among competing users". There are two schemes that can be applied to allocate a single channel among competing users and they are:

1. Static Channel Allocation
2. Dynamic Channel Allocation

Static Channel Allocation

Static channel allocation can be done by using the static multiplexing method; FDM and TDM (Frequency/Time Division Multiplexing). FDM is used in Radio or TV broadcasting whereas TDM is POTS(Plain Old Telephone System). These channel allocation techniques waste bandwidth as they cannot cope with the dynamic environment.

Dynamic Channel Allocation

Dynamic Channel Allocation is done by using Pure/Slotted ALOHA Protocol or Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) Protocols. It is more efficient than static channel allocation as it uses collision free protocols and doesn't waste bandwidth.

Reference :

• Tanenbaum, WetherRall, Andrew S. David J. Computer Networks. 5th ed. Boston : Pearson Education, Inc.
• W. Stallings, “Data and Computer Communication”, Macmillan Press, 1989.