Token-DCF: An Opportunistic MAC protocol for Wireless Networks

TL;DR

Token-DCF is a novel MAC protocol for wireless networks that reduces idle and collision times by dynamically assigning transmission privileges based on overheard queue information, significantly improving network efficiency.

Contribution

This paper introduces Token-DCF, a new MAC protocol that leverages overheard information to assign transmission privileges, reducing overhead and enhancing performance over IEEE 802.11 DCF.

Findings

Token-DCF significantly improves channel utilization.

Token-DCF increases system throughput.

Token-DCF reduces channel access delay.

Abstract

IEEE 802.11 DCF is the MAC protocol currently used in wireless LANs. 802.11 DCF is inefficient due to two types of overhead; channel idle time and collision time. This paper presents the design and performance evaluation of an efficient MAC protocol for wireless networks, called Token-DCF. Token-DCF decreases both idle time and collision time. In Token-DCF, each station keeps track of neighboring links' queue length by overhearing of transmitted packets on the wireless medium. The result is then used to assign privileges to the network stations. A privileged station does not follow the backoff mechanism and transmits immediately after the channel is sensed idle. Our simulation results show that Token-DCF can significantly improve channel utilization, system throughput and channel access delay over 802.11 DCF.