Introduction:

Medium access control (MAC) is the sublayers of the data link layer (Layer 2) in
the OSI Reference Model. 'MAC' also refers to the MAC layer. It uses MAC protocols
to provides unique addressing identification and channel access control mechanism
for network nodes to communicate with other nodes across a shared channel.

MAC describes the process that is employed to control the basis on which devices
can access the shared network. Some level of control is required to ensure the
ability of all devices to access the network within a reasonable period of time,
thereby resulting in acceptable access and response times.

It is also important that some method exists to either detect or avoid data
collisions, which are caused by multiple transmissions being placed on the shared
medium simultaneously. Media Access Control can be accomplished on either a
centralized or decentralized basis and can be characterized as either deterministic
or non-deterministic in nature.

Advantages:

* High data rates

* Low cost
* Local organizational control
* Wireless is a broadcast media and efficient use of resources is important
* Enable sharing of resources
* Mobility via Wireless

Applications:

Conclusion:

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_access_control
2. https://www.ittc.ku.edu/~frost/EECS_563/LOCAL/EECS_563_Class_Notes-Fall-2012/7-
MAC-Fall-2012.pdf
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214209615000546
4.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/224093605_Applications_oriented_medium_acc
ess_control_protocols_for_wireless_sensor_networks