Comparison between MACAW and T_Lohi protocols for underwater networks.

Abstract

The development of underwater networks presents great challenges, most of which are related to the complexity of the communication channel. The main difficulties to face in the underwater channel are the restricted bandwidth and the low propagation speed. Due to these difficulties, it is necessary the development of new and more competent communication protocols in order to obtain higher performance and minimize the energy consumption. Therefore, this paper presents a comparative evaluation between two medium access controls (MAC): MACAW and T_Lohi. Both protocols are based on random access mechanism, the first uses request to send (RTS); clear to send (CTS) and acknowledgement (ACK) messages to regulate transmissions while the second uses short duration tones which can be detected instantaneously. Thus, this study focuses on the performance, collisions and efficiency of these protocols in order to reserve the communication channel, whereby it highlights the advantages and deficiencies of each protocol in the underwater communication networks.

Keywords

• comunicaciones acústicas
• desempeño
• MACAW
• mecanismos de acceso al medio
• redes subacuáticas
• T_Lohi