Energy efficient hybrid MAC protocol for large scale wireless sensor networks

Abstract

In this study, a hybrid, energy efficient MAC (Medium Access Control) protocol has been developed for usage in dense WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) applications. In the designed hybrid MAC, favorable aspects of both CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) techniques are considered. Consequently, a MAC protocol which is more energy efficient than both CSMA and TDMA-based MAC protocols is aimed. Therefore, with the combination of CSMA which responses to the events rapidly and TDMA which reduces the collisions and unnecessary channel listening, high system throughput and node energy efficiency are obtained.