On the theory of general on-off sources with applications in high-speed networks

A general theory of on-off sources is provided. The basic source model is characterized by alternating independent on (burst) and off (silence) periods, which may have general distributions. Other more complex sources are constructed, and their behavior is characterized in terms of the basic source model. Heterogeneous and homogeneous statistical multiplexers fed by such sources are considered. In the heterogeneous environment, a simple result on the tail behavior of the multiplexer queue length distribution in the heavy traffic is provided. In the homogeneous environment, asymptotic results on the tail behavior of the queue length distribution are provided for all levels of utilization. The results for the heterogeneous environment suggest a new call admission control policy for general on-off sources in high-speed networks, which depends only on the first two moments of the on and off periods of individual sources and their respective peak rates.<>