Multi-channel MAC protocol for multi-hop wireless networks: Handling multi-channel hidden node problem using snooping

In multi-channel wireless network, several nodes can transmit data simultaneously in different channels. Thus the overall network performance can be improved significantly compared to single channel network. Various multi-channel MAC protocols have been proposed to coordinate the usage of multiple channels. However, multi-channel MAC protocols that use dynamic channel selection can cause multi-channel hidden node problem in multi-hop wireless network. This paper proposes a new approach of channel selection. Nodes snoop data channels during idle times and then select an idle data channel within the carrier sensing range using both the snooping results and the channel usage information. Our simulation results verify that the proposed channel selection approach can effectively avoid the multi-channel hidden node problem and improve the networkwide performance.