Low latency and collision avoidance MAC protocol in wireless multimedia sensor networks

Abstract

In this paper we propose a low latency and collision avoidance MAC protocol in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs). In WMSNs, sensor nodes generally send video and audio streams, still images, and scalar sensor data [1]. These data usually is bursty and time critical. So a certain level of quality of service is necessary for these data. The proposed MAC protocol uses modified IEEE 802.15.4 beacon frame to support burst data transmission. In the proposed MAC protocol, a sender node can send its data packet to any receiver node in wake up state so that packets can be transmitted fast. And receiver nodes wake up in different time slots to receive packet from sender node correctly. Results have shown that our MAC protocol outperforms other protocols in terms of data packet delivery delay and throughput. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.