A multichannel collision free MAC protocol for wireless ad hoc networks

Thinking of multiple frequency channels in wireless ad hoc networks can significantly improve the throughput if advanced MAC protocols are employed. The efficiency of multichannel protocols mainly depends on the channel assignment strategy, which has to assure both fairness and low signaling overhead. Taking into account these needs, the present work proposes a new multichannel MAC protocol, based on the balanced incomplete block design (BIBD) theory. In details, the protocol we propose is time slotted, collision free, and assures a fair distribution of both available frequency channels and time slots, thanks to the BIBD resolvability feature. Exploiting the peculiarities of BIBD, procedures for handling network topology modifications with a low overhead have been also developed. Finally, analytical results have shown very high channel utilization, efficiency, and global energy saving.