Which MAC protocol is known for requiring synchronization and can introduce overhead?

The TDMA-based MAC (Time Division Multiple Access) protocols are recognized for their requirement of synchronization among nodes in a network. In TDMA, the available time on a channel is divided into slots, and each node is assigned a specific time slot during which it can transmit its data. This structured approach necessitates that all nodes in the network are synchronized to a common time reference, ensuring that collisions do not occur when multiple nodes attempt to communicate.

This synchronization can introduce overhead, as mechanisms must be in place to maintain this time alignment, which may involve periodic signaling or a central authority for clock synchronization among nodes. Additionally, because nodes can only transmit during their designated time slot, any unused time slots due to inactive nodes can lead to wasted bandwidth, which also contributes to overhead.

The other types of MAC protocols typically do not have these same requirements. For instance, CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) allows nodes to transmit at any time as long as the channel is free, relying on detection and management of collisions rather than strict timing. Contention-based MAC protocols often operate without synchronization, and ALOHA protocols also operate in a more opportunistic manner, permitting transmissions whenever they want without the reliance on synchronized time slots. Thus