A Multi-Channel MAC Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel multi-channel medium access control protocol for wireless sensor networks. Our protocol can dynamically assign multiple channels to nodes, thereby significantly increasing network energy efficiency, network lifetime and data throughput as well. The protocol requires only one transceiver per node, but solves the multi-channel hidden terminal problem through distributed coordinator node. Finally we evaluate the performance of this protocol through simulations. The performance results show that protocol significantly increase network energy efficiency, network lifetime and data throughput and exhibits prominent ability to utilize multi-channel transceiver among neighboring nodes.