A Multiple Channel Selection and Coordination MAC Scheme

Abstract

The realization that single channel MAC protocols do not offer adequate end-to-end throughput have prompted researchers to explore more scalable approaches such as multi-channel MAC protocols. Current multi-channel schemes implementing a dedicated control channel lead to saturation problems. Channel selection and coordination schemes which minimize the effects of channel switching penalty and channel bottlenecks are required. The paper proposes a cyclical scheduling algorithm where data transmission is phased. A single dedicated channel with two data channels and one transceiver system is explored. The capacity of a single control channel is investigated as the number of data channels is increased from two to fourteen. Channel saturation is observed on data channels. Analytical results show that a single dedicated control channel causes no bottlenecks up to a fourteen data channels system. Its capacity is affected by the saturation of data channels.