Ad hoc Networks Multi-Channel MAC Protocol Design and Channel Width Adaptation Technology

In wireless Ad hoc networks, using multi-channel technique on MAC layer to increase the network capacity is a promising technology. By extending the RTS/CTS mechanism of IEEE802.11 standard, we propose a busy tone-based multi-channel MAC protocol, which can significantly improve the network throughput by using busy tone to distribute the multiple channels and overcome the multi-channel hidden terminal problem. On the basis of the protocol, this paper further takes the advantage of channel width adaptation technique, with which one channel can be effectively divided into several sub-channels so that the collision probability can be decreased and the network throughput can be further improved. NS2 simulation results show that, firstly, the proposed MAC protocol can significantly improve the throughput via using multiple channels and the improvement on throughput is in direct ratio to the number of channels; Secondly, without increasing the total bandwidth, dividing a channel into several sub-channels via the technique of channel width adaptation can also improve the network performance.