NapMap Protocol

The NapMap protocol is a relatively simple multi-hop medium access control (MAC) protocol intended for use with sensor networks that have a logical tree topology. The NapMap protocol is optimized for high network throughput while maintaining a low duty cycle. A special feature of this protocol is that each node transmits its own beacon to announce its presence and to send signaling information related to the available time slots. The individual beacons and individual “neighborhood maps” are the basic features of the NapMap MAC protocol. The neighborhood map is a small data structure which indicates timeslot usage by the node’s neighbors. The NapMap MAC addresses the hidden terminal problem by individual beacons and neighborhood maps.