MAC Protocols

📊 Performance of MAC Protocols The performance of MAC protocols directly influences the overall efficiency and reliability of data transmission in a network. Understanding how each protocol performs in different network conditions is key to optimizing channel utilization, minimizing collision rates, and ensuring fair access to the communication medium. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 TDMA Performance TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) allocates time slots to each device for transmission. Its performance depends on the time slot allocation, the number of devices, and the synchronization. ...

🔒 Hidden Node Problem The Hidden Node Problem occurs in wireless networks when two devices, A and C, can communicate with a central device B, but A and C cannot hear each other’s transmissions. Scenario: A and C transmit data to B simultaneously, causing a collision at B. Since A and C cannot detect each other, this results in hidden collisions. Impact: Reduced throughput and increased retransmissions. Inefficiency in the network due to wasted bandwidth and collisions. Solution: Request to Send / Clear to Send (RTS/CTS) RTS/CTS is used to reserve the medium before data transmission. Device A sends a Request to Send (RTS) to device B, and B responds with a Clear to Send (CTS). If another device (like C) hears the CTS, it knows the channel is reserved and refrains from transmitting. 🌐 Exposed Node Problem The Exposed Node Problem happens when a device, A, hears the transmission of device B but is not in the range of the receiver (C). Device A may unnecessarily hold off from transmitting, thinking it will cause interference, even though it won’t. ...