Probability Distributions for Channel Utilisation

Sensor nets have many undisputed fields of application. A paradigm of communication is the use of one control channel in the MAC layer. We challenge this paradigm for nodes with very restricted hardware resources. In our model nodes support the use of different channels and use clock synchronisation. We present a simple probabilistic synchronised channel utilisation scheme for wireless communication. The main features are its simplicity, robustness against radio interference, the high throughput caused by less interfering signals, and predictable energy consumption. For this, the channel selection is based on a carefully chosen probability distribution maximising the expected number of successfully delivered packets up to a constant factor. Combined with a standard synchronisation scheme it provides a novel energy-efficient, robust, and fast message delivery service for sensor networks where data gathering is not available due to memory restrictions. Topics: Access control, Sensor Networks.