Multiple logical token-rings in a single high-speed ring

A media access control protocol, called the multiple token protocol, for high-speed ring networks is described. Its purpose is to increase the throughput under a heavy load and to decrease the access delay under a light load of the token-ring protocol. The protocol maintains several logical token rings in the single physical ring. The number of logical rings can be changed dynamically by the ring stations according to the actual ring load. Each logical ring has its own token, and its operation is close to a token ring with early-token-release and destination removal. Multiple tokens enable multiple simultaneous transmissions of new frames by different stations and decrease the waiting for a token delay.>