Design and Implementation of HomeTDMA: a TDMA Protocol for Home Networks

In this paper, we introduced our designed TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) based MAC (Medium Access Control) protocol for Home Networks called HomeTDMA. We have implemented and tested it in a test bed using crossbow motes and TinyOS. We also have compared HomeTDMA and CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) in terms of space and time complexity, channel access time, delivery success ratio, and throughput. Based on our results, HomeTDMA has an advantage over CSMA on channel access time, throughput and delivery success ratioIn the case of complexity, HomeTDMA is more complex compared to CSMA. Thus, CSMA is more appropriate in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) where memory, energy, and throughput are important parameters to be considered. However, HomeTDMA has a natural advantage of collision free medium access and is very promising for home networks where a reliable transmission or data transfer and congestion control is highly preferred.