Performance analysis of an adaptive, energy-efficient MAC protocol for wireless sensor networks

• Published in: Journal of parallel and distributed computing 2012-04, Vol.72 (4), p.504-514
• Main Authors: Tan, Wee Lum, Lau, Wing Cheong, Yue, OnChing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: MAC protocol; TDMA; Timeslot stealing; Wireless sensor networks
• ISSN: 0743-7315; 1096-0848
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpdc.2012.01.021

We propose an adaptive and energy-efficient TDMA-based MAC protocol that significantly reduces energy consumption in the network, while efficiently handling network traffic load variations and optimizing channel utilization through a timeslot stealing mechanism and a timeslot reassignment procedure. We have analytically derived the average delay performance of our MAC protocol, with and without the timeslot stealing mechanism. Our delay model, validated via simulations, shows that the timeslot stealing mechanism can substantially improve the protocol throughput in scenarios with varying and asymmetric traffic patterns. Evaluation results show that the timeslot reassignment procedure is efficient in handling the longer timescale changes in the traffic load, while the timeslot stealing mechanism is better in handling the shorter timescale changes in the traffic patterns. ► An adaptive, energy-efficient and receiver-driven MAC protocol for WSN. ► Timeslot stealing feature to handle short timescale changes in traffic patterns. ► Timeslot reassignment feature to handle longer timescale changes in traffic load. ► Analytically derived the average delay performance of the protocol.