A robust high-throughput tree algorithm using successive interference cancellation

A novel random access protocol combining a tree algorithm (TA) with successive interference cancellation (SIC) has been introduced recently. By migrating physical layer benefits to the medium access control (MAC) through a cross-layer approach, SICTA can afford stable throughput as high as 0.693. However, SICTA may lead to deadlocks caused by channel fading and error propagation in error-prone wireless networks. To mitigate such effects, we put forth a truncated version of SICTA that we term SICTA/FS (SICTA with first success). We establish using analysis and simulations that while providing high throughput, SICTA/FS is robust to errors, it is easy to implement, and can be readily incorporated to existing standards