A channel selection collision avoidance multiple access protocol for highly dynamic air-based self-organizing networks

A novel multichannel multiple access protocol, namely channel selection collision avoidance (CSCA) multiple access protocol, is presented for efficient channel sharing in highly dynamic air-based self-organizing networks. It flexibly employs request-to-send and clear-to-send (RTS/CTS) dialogue on a common channel and selects conflict-free traffic channel to accomplish the transmission of data packet. The acknowledgment (ACK) packet for the data packet transmission is replied to the sender over another common channel, which completely eliminates the influence of exposed terminal problem. The influence of hidden terminal problem is also greatly reduced because most of possible packet collisions on a single channel are avoided due to traffic load balance on multiple channels. In addition, any communication pair within locality can take full advantage of multiple TCHs without collisions and spatial reuse of same channel are extended to other communication pair which is at least 2 hops away from them. Finally, simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.