Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance

Carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) in computer networking, is a link layer multiple access method in which carrier sensing is used. Under CSMA/CA, nodes attempt to avoid collisions by beginning transmission only after the channel is sensed to have no traffic. When they do transmit, nodes transmit frames in their entirety.

This technique is primarily used in wireless networks, where the alternative with collision detection CSMA/CD is not possible due to wireless transmitters de-sensing (turning off) their receivers during packet transmission.

CSMA/CA is unreliable due to the hidden node problem.

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