New MAC protocol design and simulation on TDMA-based tactical internet environment

The time slot allocation is one of the most crucial problems in the tactical internet of TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) protocol since improving the network latency and throughput depending on the efficient management of time slot resources. In this proposed work, a new TDMA based on MAC protocol, which is not only throughput large but also delay sensitive, is introduced for the tactical internet of PRNET (Packet Radio Network) topology. Based on EC-TDMA (efficient clustered TDMA) and BMA (Bit-Map-Assisted) protocols, the new protocol can dynamically allocate time slots according to the number of nodes and the node traffic load, and the inter-cluster data forwarding mechanism utilized for cluster head is adopted too. Computer modeling and simulation of the new approach are realized using OPNET Modeler. Simulation results are also presented together with comparisons those of a counterpart which uses the fixed slot allocation TDMA protocol. This study is a good guidance for the optimization of TDMA protocol and the specific realization in simulation.