Multi-control channel very high-speed optical fiber local area networks and their interconnections using a passive star topology

A multi-control-channel LAN (local area network) configuration is introduced for optical star networks using Aloha protocols. It works on the principle of grouping the users of the system into various groups and providing a separate control channel for each group. The users in a group usually monitor their control channel for a possible control packet from other users. The users in a group can temporarily become members of other groups, thus achieving intergroup communication very easily. This principle can also be used to interconnect optical star LANs using the WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) technology and Aloha protocols. Two methods for star interconnections are presented, their choice depending upon whether there is a limitation on the optical star size or on the number of WDM channels.