IEEE 802.11 RTS/CTS

Template:Short description Template:More citations needed

IEEE 802.11 RTS/CTS (request to send/clear to send) is the optional mechanism used by the 802.11 wireless networking protocol to reduce frame collisions introduced by the hidden node problem. Originally the protocol fixed the exposed node problem as well, but later RTS/CTS does not, but includes ACKs.

Frame formatEdit

The RTS, CTS and ACK frame headers all contain

frame control (two bytes of metadata flags)
duration
receiver MAC address
frame check sequence.
RTS frames contain the transmitter's MAC address.

Exposed terminal problemEdit

This protocol was designed under the assumption that all nodes have the same transmission ranges. RTS/CTS frames can cause the exposed terminal problem in which a wireless node that is nearby, but is associated with another access point, overhears the exchange and then is signaled to back off and cease transmitting for the time specified in the RTS.

Carrier sensingEdit

RTS/CTS is an additional method to implement virtual carrier sensing in carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). By default, 802.11 relies on physical carrier sensing only.

Frame sizeEdit

The RTS/CTS packet size threshold is 0–2347 octets. Typically, sending RTS/CTS frames does not occur unless the packet size exceeds this threshold. If the packet size that the node wants to transmit is larger than the threshold, the RTS/CTS handshake gets triggered. Otherwise, the data frame gets sent immediately.

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

External linksEdit

de:Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance#RTS/CTS Koordination