SMAC multi-hop mesh routing protocol using IEEE 802.15.4

This paper discusses some aspects related to Wireless Sensor Networks over the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and proposes, for the very first time, a mesh network topology with geographic routing integrated to the open Freescale protocol (SMAC – Simple Medium Access Control). For this is proposed the SMAC routing protocol. Before this work the SMAC protocol was suitable to perform one hop communications only. However, with the developed mechanisms, it is possible to use multi-hop communication. Performance results from the implemented protocol are presented and analyzed in order to define important requirements for wireless sensor networks, such as robustness, self-healing property and low latency.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► SMAC protocol has low cost and it is simpler than MAC IEEE 802.15.4. ► However, SMAC protocol only support star topology. ► This work proposes mesh topology routing for SMAC protocol. ► Proposed protocol produces robustness, self-healing property and low latency.