Directional MAC for 60 GHz Using Polarization Diversity Extension (DMAC-PDX)

Abstract

This paper proposes a directional medium access control (DMAC) algorithm for wireless communication networks operating in the 60 GHz bands. Wireless communications using the 60 GHz spectrum must overcome many challenges that the conventional systems operating in the lower frequency bands do not encounter. These are mainly caused by the special characteristics of the 60 GHz signal such as its lack of penetration ability. Thus, information on whether the communications link has a line-of-sight (LOS) component or not is critical to optimize 60 GHz systems. We propose an efficient approach to determine the presence of a direct path between transmitter and receiver, which will be used to determine if the environment is LOS or non-LOS. We also propose a direction finding approach to be used with the proposed DMAC algorithm. We compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with that of the traditional MAC protocol when applied to 60 GHz systems, since there are no existing DMAC protocols that are specifically designed for 60 GHz communications.