MAC Protocols: a taxonomy

Three broad classes:

• Static Channel Partitioning

  • divide channel into smaller “pieces” (time slots, frequency)
  • allocate piece to node for exclusive use

• Random Access

  • allow collisions
  • “recover” from collisions

• “Taking turns” (Dynamic channel partitioning)

  • tightly coordinate shared access to avoid collisions

Goal: efficient, fair, simple, decentralized

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