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What is Hidden node problem?

A problem in wireless LANs that occurs when signals from two terminals both reach the access point but the terminals cannot hear each other because of distance or obstacles. Unaware of each other's transmissions, they transmit at the same time and collide at the access point. It is mitigated by RTS/CTS, in which the CTS returned by the access point makes nearby terminals hold off transmitting.

Japanese name: 隠れ端末問題

Hidden node problem appears in 1 practice question across 1 topic, including Wireless Communication Basics.

Field: Wireless Communication Basics

Try it: questions about Hidden node problem

Which describes the RTS/CTS mechanism used to mitigate the hidden node problem in wireless LANs?

  1. AA terminal that wants to transmit sends a request to send (RTS), and the access point returns a clear to send (CTS); nearby terminals that receive the CTS refrain from transmitting for the duration of that exchange
  2. BA terminal monitors the received signal while transmitting and stops immediately if it detects a collision
  3. CAll terminals transmit at maximum power so that their signals reach one another
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. A terminal that wants to transmit sends a request to send (RTS), and the access point returns a clear to send (CTS); nearby terminals that receive the CTS refrain from transmitting for the duration of that exchange

The hidden node problem occurs when signals from both terminals reach the access point, but the terminals cannot hear each other because of distance or obstacles. Unaware of each other's transmissions, they judge the channel to be free, transmit at the same time and collide at the access point. With RTS/CTS, the CTS returned by the access point states how long the exchange will take, and terminals that receive the CTS refrain from transmitting for that time. The RTS/CTS exchange costs efficiency, so it can be configured to be used only when sending large frames.

Hidden node problem in the explanations

Questions that mention Hidden node problem (1)

  1. Which describes the RTS/CTS mechanism used to mitigate the hidden node problem in wireless LANs?

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Related terms

Beamforming Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Direct-conversion receiver Fading Free-space path loss (FSPL) Link budget LPWA (low-power wide-area) MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) NFC (near-field communication) Noise figure (NF)

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