Analysis of a statistical multiplexer with generalized periodic sources

The authors provide solution techniques for the analysis of multiplexers with periodic arrival streams, which accurately account for the effects of active and idle periods and of gradual arrival. In the models considered in this paper, it is assumed that each source alternates (periodically) between active and idle periods of fixed durations. Incoming packets are transmitted on the network link and excess information is stored in the multiplexing buffer when the aggregate input rate exceeds the capacity of the link. The authors are interested in the probability distribution of the buffer content for a given network link speed as a function of the number of sources and their characteristics, i.e., rate and duration of idle and active periods. They derive this distribution from two models: discrete time and continuous time systems. Discrete time systems operate in a slotted fashion, with a slot defining the base unit for data generation and transmission. In particular, in each slot the link is capable of transmitting one data unit and conversely an active source generates one data unit in that time. The continuous time model of the paper falls in the category of fluid models. Compared to previous works the authors allow a more general model for the periodic packet arrival process of each source. In discrete time, this means that the active period of a source can now extend over several consecutive slots instead of a single slot as in previous models. In continuous time, packet arrivals are not required to be instantaneous, but rather the data generation process can now take place over the entire duration of the active period. In both cases, these generalizations allow us to account for the progressive arrival of source data as a function of both the source speed and the amount of data it generates in an active period.