Enhanced Dynamic Beamwidth Selection-based THz MAC Protocol for Wireless Data Center Networks

2026-07-20

AI Summary

This study addresses the performance trade-off between throughput and link distance in terahertz wireless data center networks caused by fixed beamwidths. To overcome this limitation, the authors propose a distance-aware dynamic beamwidth adaptation mechanism, termed DBS-ADAPT, which—unlike prior approaches—enables real-time adjustment of beamwidth based on node separation within the terahertz MAC protocol, thereby maximizing throughput while maintaining adequate coverage. An enhanced variant, EDBS-ADAPT, is further introduced to substantially reduce beam switching and control overhead. Extensive simulations using the NS-3 terahertz module demonstrate that DBS-ADAPT improves average throughput by 22% and reduces latency by 10% compared to baseline protocols, while EDBS-ADAPT achieves a remarkable 95% reduction in beam switching overhead.

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) wireless communication offers a promising alternative to traditional wired links in data centres (DCs), enabling ultra-high data rates, low latency, and greater scalability. However, THz signals suffer from high path loss, necessitating the use of directional antennas (DAs). While DAs enhance signal strength, they introduce challenges such as deafness and synchronisation, typically addressed through receiver-initiated MAC protocols. Most existing THz MAC protocols use fixed beamwidths, which results in a key performance trade-off: narrow beams improve gain for long-range links but reduce throughput for short distances due to increased alignment overhead, while wide beams benefit short links but degrade performance over longer distances. To overcome this limitation, we propose DBS-ADAPT, a dynamic beamwidth selection-based MAC protocol that adjusts the antenna beamwidth according to the distance between nodes, maximising throughput without compromising link range. We also introduce an enhanced version, EDBS-ADAPT, which further reduces beamwidth switching and control overhead while preserving throughput gains. Both protocols are evaluated using the NS-3 THz module. Simulation results show that DBS-ADAPT improves average throughput by up to 22% and reduces delay up to 10% compared to the baseline ADAPT-3 protocol. EDBS-ADAPT further cuts beamwidth switching overhead by 95%, making it more efficient for scalable and high-performance wireless DC environments.

Problem

• THz MAC protocol
• beamwidth selection
• wireless data center
• directional antennas
• throughput optimization

Innovation

• Dynamic Beamwidth Selection
• THz MAC Protocol
• Wireless Data Center
• Beamwidth Adaptation
• NS-3 Simulation