Comparison and optimisation of CSMA/CA back-off distribution functions for a low earth orbit satellite link

This paper presents a comparison of several random number distributions for use in the back-off random variable, in a CSMA/CA protocol. These distributions are optimised for the specific case of a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communicating with several ground stations, where the propagation time from satellite to different stations is diverse. The results of using these different distributions are presented, with a proposed Boolean- type distribution shown to be optimal. The results are confirmed using OMNeT++ simulations.