Collision-controlled multiple access for mobile ad hoc networks and multihop wireless LANs

High collision rates in multihop wireless networks constitute a source of problems that hinder the successful execution of TCP or real-time applications. We propose a collision-controlled multiple access (CCMA) scheme called GAP for medium access control (MAC) in ad hoc networks, multihop wireless LANs, sensor networks, and mesh networks. GAP employs collision prevention techniques adapted from binary countdown to control the collision rates for control messages and, in turn, data packets. It can even achieve virtually collision-free transmissions under some mathematical models.