Smart contention resolution in random access wireless networks with unknown multiple users: A joint layer design approach

Traditional methods for resolving random access contentions usually work in the MAC layer only without considering the rich information of the physical layer signal. Most of them suffer from low efficiency and lack of priority scheduling capability. This paper shows that advanced signal processing techniques can be used for complete contention resolution, i.e., packet collisions can be either avoided or exploited. This task can be realized by designing jointly the physical layer signal separation algorithm and the MAC layer smart scheduling protocols. An innovative property is that packet priority, and thus QoS, can be guaranteed along with high transmission efficiency in random access wireless networks with unknown multiple users.