An Improved Common Hopping Multiple Access protocol for smart meter wireless networks

In wireless smart meter networks, the common hopping algorithm is an effective method to reduce interference and improve throughput. However, the common hopping method suffers from multi-channel hidden terminal problem and deaf node problem. Such problems make the throughput unsatisfying. This paper proposed ICHMA (Improved Common Hopping Multiple Access) protocol to address such problems and improve the throughput. In ICHMA, sequences of schemes are presented as the complement to the common hopping algorithm. A RTS reserving scheme and a flexible channel switching scheme are designed to alleviate multi-channel hidden terminal problem. A Multi-NAV (Multiple Network Allocation Vector) scheme and a new RTS retry scheme are designed to avoid deaf node problem. The simulation results prove that ICHMA has advantage in terms of high packet delivery ratio and high throughput.