Efficient relay node management method for BLE MESH networks

Abstract

The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) MESH network technology gains popularity in low duty IoT systems. Its advantage is a low energy consumption that enables long lifetime of IoT systems. The paper proposes and evaluates new MRT management methods, i.e. exact and heuristic, that improves energy efficiency of BLE MESH network by minimizing the number of active relay nodes. The performed experiments confirm efficiency of the MRT methods resulting in significantly lower energy consumption of BLE MESH network.