relays also collect information about channel estimates in their neighborhood, while they subsequently estimate whether another node can transmit concurrently with the node that just exchanged the RTS/CTS. The aforementioned tasks are accomplished with the *cooperative channel information exchange algorithm* and the *rate estimation algorithm* that are processes that are executed continuously and in parallel with the normal protocol operation. In Fig. \[fig:topology-mac-cc2\] for example $N_3$ estimates, according to the latest channel statistics, that $N_4$ can also transmit at the same time with $N_1$, while $N_6,N_7$ might have similar estimates. If interfering transmissions cannot be allowed by any relay, node $N_1$ proceeds with its transmission either cooperatively with the help of $N_3$ (named COOP transmission mode) or directly. Assume now that $N_3$ allows the two transmissions from $N_1$ and $N_4$ to take place concurrently. This task is accomplished with the *cooperative ANC MAC*. Because of the broadcast nature of the channel the two packets/signals will interfere in several physical locations: nodes $N_2$, $N_3$, $N_5$, $N_6$, and $N_7$. In this way, both $N_2$ and $N_5$ have a locally interfered version of the signals that they simply cannot decode. The relay that has been selected with the previous algorithms, forwards its own 