Cross-Layer Protocols for Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networking (CrossNet)

The goal of this Phase 1 SBIR is to refine and evaluate an integrated cross-layer wireless networking protocol suite that spans OSI layers 2 (link) through 4 (transport) and reduces energy consumption in sensor networks. Early analysis suggests that an order of magnitude reduction in energy consumption over traditional approaches is achievable for typical UGS scenarios by combining services across layers. Our innovation combines novel extensions in link-layer MAC scheduling and hop-by-hop repair services with recent network layer research in minimum energy diversity routing. The link-layer services may also be used to control power modes of emerging radios for further cross-layer performance gains. In all, the combination promises to eliminate major sources of energy consumption including idle listening, control signaling, congestion hot-spots, and packet retransmissions due to channel errors. The approach leverages our existing sensor network simulation testbed developed under NSF funding to evaluate the energy, throughput, and latency performance against alternative solutions. The technology developed under this SBIR is anticipated to have broad application to army sensor networks as well as public commercial wireless systems and plant automation.