Ethernet Transmitter Algorithm
If adapter has a frame to send and line is idle it transmits frame immediately (connectionless - no negotiation with other adapters).
Fairness of access mechanism: Adapter must wait at least 51.2 µs before transmitting another frame to allow others access to network.
If two or more adapters begin transmitting at the same time Ethernet detects a frame collision. The adapters must transmit a minimum 512 bit (64 Byte) frame before aborting the transmission. The guaranteed minimum 51.2 µs jam time ensures that the collision can be detected over the maximum network length of 1500 m (note maximum round-trip time-of-flight of signal in cable is only 15 µs).
After collision, the adapter doubles the maximum wait time before retrying (exponential backoff). The number of times the maximum wait time is doubled is limited to 10.
Adapter will report an error to the host if after 16 tries it still cannot transmit the frame.