A TDMA-based MAC Protocol for Hybrid Vehicular Sensor Networks Using Practical Mobility Models with Real Maps

Abstract

In this paper, a new Hybrid Vehicular Sensor Networks (HVSN) Media Access Control (MAC) protocol is designed to exchange safety and control messages with high delivery rates between the vehicles’ on board sensors and the road side sensors. The proposed protocol uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) which imposes few challenges in implementation, namely, rescheduling and time synchronization. The devised MAC protocol is characterized by three features; first, it is a collision-free MAC protocol that does not require the re-configuration of time slots division as well as it accounts for the time synchronization problem. Second, the protocol is one of the works that employs the IEEE S02.11p in HVSN and utilizes its features and specifications. Third, the design is comprehensive and it is built based on a realistic mobility model that helped in assessing the protocol performance through a unique TDMA mobility based-Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) calculation method.