A token-based distributed scheduling for mesh networks with chain topologies

Abstract

The IEEE 802.11 DCF protocol used in multihop networks with chain topologies does not provide fair throughput to each node due to the hidden/exposed terminal problem and edge node effect. Eliminating the contention from hidden nodes is the key to providing high performance in the mesh network. We propose a token-based distributed scheduling scheme that not only guarantees throughput fairness among nodes but also allows allocation of proportional throughput among nodes.