Performance of Multiple Access WDM Networks with Subcarrier Multiplexed Control Channels

In this paper, the performance of multiple access WDM networks with baseband data packets and subcarrier mul- tiplexed control channels is evaluated. The advantages of using subcarriers for control channels are described. The contention problem is analyzed and general expressions are derived for the throughput of slotted and random-arrival networks with M access nodes and Q subcarriers. It is shown that using multiple subcarriers for control channels can significantly improve the throughput of the networks, especially when the traffic is heavy or the data packets are short.