An energy-saving MAC protocol for Underwater Acoustic Networks

The life time of network is an important performance of Underwater Acoustic Networks(UWAN). The target of energy-saving technology is to improve the energy efficiency and prolong the life time. In this paper, energy-saving strategies in Data Link Layer are mostly discussed. Some existing MAC protocols are studied, the advantages and disadvantages of which are analyzed. Then an improved protocol is provided which not only bases on the former protocol but also superiors to it. The improved protocol optimizes the data receiving and sending strategy that can reduce the data collisions between nodes and improve the energy efficiency. The efficiency of the improved protocol is verified by simulations.