Guard Zones and the Near-Far Problem in DS-CDMA Ad Hoc Networks

The central issue in Direct-Sequence Code-Division Multiple-Access (DS-CDMA) ad hoc networks is the prevention of a near-far problem. This paper considers two types of guard zones that may be used to control the near-far problem: a fundamental exclusion zone and an additional CSMA guard zone that may be established by the Carrier-Sense Multiple-Access (CSMA) protocol. In the exclusion zone, no mobiles are physically present, modeling the minimum physical separation among mobiles that is always present in actual networks. Potentially interfering mobiles beyond a transmitting mobile's exclusion zone, but within its CSMA guard zone, are deactivated by the protocol. This paper provides an analysis of DS-CSMA networks with either or both types of guard zones.