Chapter 03
MAC protocol for sensor network
Syllabus
Introduction: Overview of wireless sensor techniques, Challenges for Wireless Sensor, Enabling Technologies.(02)
Architectures: Single-Node Architecture - Hardware Components, Energy Consumption of Sensor Nodes, Operating Systems
and Execution Environments, Data Dissemination, Flooding and Gossiping-Data gathering Sensor Network Scenarios,
Optimization Goals and Figures of Merit, Design Principles for WSNs- Gateway Concepts, Need for gateway, WSN and
Internet Communication, WSN Tunneling. (09)
Networking sensors: Physical Layer and Transceiver Design Considerations, MAC Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks,
Low Duty Cycle Protocols and Wakeup Concepts - S-MAC, The Mediation Device Protocol. (08)
WSN protocols: Security protocol for WSN network, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC – Zigbee, Wakeup Radio Concepts, Address and
Name Management, Assignment of MAC Addresses, Routing Protocols- Energy-Efficient Routing, Geographic Routing,
Introduction to Time Synchronization, Localization and Positioning, Sensor Tasking and Control. (09)
Sensor network platforms and tools: Sensor Node Hardware – Berkeley Motes, Programming Challenges, Node-level
software platforms, Node-level Simulators, State-centric programming, Tiny OS for WSN and WSN, M2M communication,
Alljoyn network, Case studies.
WSN Layered architecture
OSI and TCP/ IP Model
Data link layer Functions
LLC and MAC sublayers
Evolution of random-access methods
Collision in CSMA
Persistence strategies
What is MAC Protocol
• In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), the Medium Access Control (MAC)
protocol is a set of guidelines that dictate how each node should transmit
data over the shared wireless medium.
• The MAC protocol's primary objective is to minimize idle listening, over-
hearing, and collisions of data packets
• To efficiently manage access to the wireless medium, the MAC protocol helps
to reduce energy consumption and optimize the use of network resources.
MAC Protocol Categories
• Contention based MAC
• Scheduled based MAC
• Hybrid MAC
• Cross-Layer MAC
1. Contention-based MAC (CSMA/CA)
• Contention-based MAC protocol is also known as a random access
MAC protocol. It allows all nodes to transmit data on the shared
medium, but they have to compete with each other to access the
medium. One example of contention-based MAC is CSMA/CA.
• In CSMA/CA, each node senses the medium before transmitting the
data. If the medium is idle, the node can transmit data immediately.
However, if the channel is busy the node has to wait for a random
time also known as back-off time. This back-off time reduces the
chances of collisions.
CSMA/CA procedure
Wait for IFS time
1. Contention-based MAC (S-MAC)
• Sensor MAC (SMAC) is a contention-based MAC protocol that is
specifically designed for wireless sensor networks. The primary objective
of SMAC is to minimize idle listening, over-hearing, and collisions of
data packets. To achieve this goal, SMAC adopts a duty-cycle approach,
also known as a sleep-wakeup cycle. In this approach, each node
alternates between a fixed length of active and sleeping periods based
on its schedule.
• To prevent collisions among packets, SMAC utilizes the Request to Send
(RTS) and Clear to Send (CTS) packets before transmitting data packets.
This helps to ensure that only one node is transmitting data at a time,
reducing the likelihood of collisions and improving overall network
efficiency.
Contention-based MAC Used in Wireless Sensor
Networks
2. Scheduled-based MAC (T-MAC)
• Scheduled-based MAC is also known as a deterministic MAC protocol.
Where each node follows a predetermined schedule and transmits the
data according to its given time slot. The data collision is completely
nullified in scheduled-based MAC. TDMA(Time Division Multiple Access) is
an example of a scheduled-based MAC.
• In TDMA the time is divided into fixed slots and each node is allocated a
specific time frame in which they can transmit the data. During this time
slot, other nodes remain silent.
TDMA for multiple Channels
2. Scheduled-based MAC (T-MAC)
Scheduled-based MAC
• LEACH (Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy) is a TDMA-based
protocol that utilizes a clustering mechanism in wireless sensor
networks. A cluster comprises sensor nodes grouped together, with
one node designated as the cluster head and the others serving as
members. The cluster head is selected based on a probabilistic
algorithm, which ensures that power consumption is evenly
distributed among the nodes.
• Once the cluster is formed, a schedule is created for nodes to
transmit data within the cluster. Additionally, to mitigate inter-cluster
interference, each cluster head assigns a unique CDMA code to its
cluster.
Working LEACH Protocol
Working LEACH Protocol
Hybrid MAC
▪ Hybrid MAC is a combination of different protocols such as contention-based
MAC and scheduled-based MAC to optimize the performance of wireless
sensor networks.
▪ CSMA/CA reduces collisions but may result in inefficient medium utilization.
▪ The TDMA divides the medium into time slots and assigns them to different
nodes, which can achieve high utilization but may not be flexible enough to
adapt to changing network conditions.
▪ the IEEE developed 802.15.4 as a standard for low-rate WPANs, and uses
Hybrid MAC protocols
Protocol stack for 802.15.4
Hybrid MAC Used in Wireless Sensor Networks
• The IEEE developed 802.15.4 as a standard for low-rate WPANs, which outlines the
PHY and MAC layers for low-power wireless communication in the 2.4 GHz ISM
band. It was specifically created for applications that require low data rates, low
power consumption, and cost-effectiveness, such as sensor networks, home
automation, and industrial automation.
• The physical layer employs DSSS and FHSS modulation in the 2.4 GHz ISM band to
prevent interference from other wireless devices and utilize minimum bandwidth.
• On the other hand, the media access control layer implements a CSMA-CA protocol
to avoid device collisions. It supports different data packet sizes, ranging from 9 to
127 bytes, and also offers error detection and correction mechanisms .
Cross-Layer MAC
• Cross-layer MAC allows the different layers in the protocol stack, typically including physical, MAC,
and network layers, to interact and share information with one another. Firstly MAC layers gather
information about the state of the channel whether the channel is busy or not. This information
will be further used to control the other parameters such as data transmission rate, packet loss
rate, and delay.
• Once the parameters have been determined, the MAC layer sends the data packets to the PHY
layer for transmission over the wireless channel. After the data transmission, the PHY layer sends
feedback to the MAC layer about the success or failure of the transmission. If the transmission
was unsuccessful. Based on the feedback MAC layer repeats the transmission
• Overall, the working of Cross-Layer MAC involves the interaction between the MAC and PHY
layers to improve the efficiency of data transmission and energy consumption in WSNs. By
optimizing the transmission parameters
Cross-Layer MAC
Cross-Layer MAC Used in Wireless Sensor
Networks
• The IEEE 802.11e standard expands on the existing IEEE 802.11 WLAN
standard by incorporating Quality of Service (QoS) support. It utilizes a
cross-layer approach, allowing the MAC layer to collaborate with higher
layers such as the network and application layers, to provide specific
services based on the application’s needs.
• On the other hand, IEEE 802.16, or WiMAX, is intended for broadband
wireless access and utilizes a cross-layer design as well. This design allows
the MAC layer to communicate with the physical layer to adjust to the
changing channel conditions, such as interference, noise, and fading.
Mediation Device Protocol (MDP)
▪ The MDP refers to the mechanisms or techniques used by intermediate nodes
(mediation devices) to manage communication, data aggregation, or coordination
between sensor nodes and a central sink or base station
▪ In WSNs, mediation devices play a crucial role in bridging the gap between sensor nodes
and external networks, improving scalability, security, and overall system performance
