CSMA/CA

What is carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)?

Carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) is a protocol used in 802.11 networks to
manage carrier transmission and minimize the likelihood of collisions when multiple stations attempt to
transmit data simultaneously over a shared medium. The protocol involves several key steps to ensure
efficient and collision-free communication:

Carrier Sense (CS): Before initiating a transmission, each station must first check the status of the
medium to determine if it is idle or busy with other transmissions. This step involves listening to the
channel to detect ongoing transmissions by other nodes.

Multiple Access (MA): In a shared medium environment, where multiple stations have access to the
transmission channel, it is crucial for all stations to follow a set protocol to coordinate their
communication effectively.

Collision Avoidance (CA): To prevent collisions, CSMA/CA employs a sophisticated mechanism that
ensures stations do not start transmitting simultaneously. If overlapping transmissions are detected, the
protocol initiates measures to avoid collisions and retries the transmission process.

When a node intends to send data across the network, it first checks if the channel is clear. If it detects
that the channel is idle, it proceeds with transmitting the packet. However, if the channel is busy, the
node enters a backoff period during which it waits for a random duration before rechecking the
channel’s status. This backoff mechanism helps in avoiding collisions and managing contention on the
network.

Upon successful transmission of a packet, the receiving node sends an acknowledgment (ACK) back to
the sender, confirming that the frame was received correctly.

CSMA/CA on a Network
In network protocols operating at the MAC layer, CSMA/CA implements a three-step process involving
carrier sensing, multiple access management, and collision avoidance strategies:

Carrier Sense (CS): Ensures that stations only transmit data when they detect an idle medium.

Multiple Access (MA): Coordinates communication among multiple stations sharing the same
transmission medium.

Collision Avoidance (CA): Implements mechanisms to prevent simultaneous transmissions and manage
potential collisions effectively.

The goal of CSMA/CA in both wired and wireless networks is to regulate access to the shared medium
and minimize conflicts that may arise when multiple nodes attempt to transmit data concurrently.

CSMA/CA: Wired vs. Wireless Networks

In local area networks (LANs), whether wired or wireless, all participating devices share a common
transmission medium through which they communicate. While wired networks rely on physical cables
for data transfer, wireless networks like WLANs utilize radio waves within specific ranges for
communication.

CSMA/CA plays a critical role in ensuring orderly communication within these networks by enforcing
rules that govern how stations access and utilize the shared medium. In wireless environments
especially, where nodes may not always be able to detect each other due to technical limitations such as
signal range or interference, CSMA/CA helps mitigate potential collisions and maintain network
efficiency.

By following predefined protocols for carrier sensing, multiple access coordination, and collision
avoidance strategies, network participants can optimize their transmissions while minimizing disruptions
caused by overlapping data packets.

Overall, CSMA/CA serves as an essential protocol for managing network traffic and facilitating efficient
communication in both wired and wireless environments.
How CSMA/CD Works

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) is a medium access control method
used in early Ethernet technology for local area networking. It aims to prevent data collisions when
multiple stations attempt to transmit data simultaneously on a shared network segment. The process of
how CSMA/CD works can be broken down into several key steps:

Step 1: Check Readiness

Before transmitting data, a station checks if it has a frame ready for transmission.

Step 2: Medium Idle Check

The station verifies if the transmission medium is idle by listening for ongoing transmissions from other
stations. If the medium is busy, the station waits until it becomes available.

Step 3: Transmit Data & Collision Detection

Once the medium is idle, the station starts transmitting its data. During transmission, it continuously
monitors for collisions by sensing signals from other stations.

If a collision is detected (i.e., another station transmits at the same time), the transmitting station stops
sending its frame, transmits a jam signal to inform others of the collision, and then waits for a random
backoff time before attempting to resend the frame.

Step 4: Frame Transmission Completion

If no collision is detected during transmission, the station successfully completes sending its frame,
resets retransmission counters, and prepares for further communication.

How Stations Identify Collisions

When a collision occurs in CSMA/CD, all stations on the network receive a collision signal. To determine
if their own data collided with another station’s transmission, each station considers factors such as
propagation time and transmission time:

Propagation Time: The time it takes for signals to travel between stations on the network.

Transmission Time: The duration required to send data from one station to another.

Stations need to ensure that their transmission time exceeds twice the propagation time to account for
potential delays in receiving collision signals. This ensures that they can accurately identify if their data
was involved in a collision event.

In summary, CSMA/CD facilitates efficient data transmission by allowing stations to sense carrier signals,
detect collisions, and manage retransmissions effectively in shared network environments.