Device Discovery and Context Registration in Static Context Header Compression Networks

Abstract

Due to the limited bandwidth of Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN), the application layer is currently often tied straight above the link layer, limiting the evolution of sensor networks distributed over a large area. Consequently, the highly efficient Static Context Header Compression (SCHC) standard was introduced, where devices can compress the IPv6 and upper layer protocols down to a single byte. This approach, however, assumes that every compression context is distributed before deployment, again limiting the evolution of such networks. Therefore, this paper presents two context registration mechanisms leveraging on the SCHC adaptation layer. This is done by analyzing current registration solutions in order to find limitations and optimizations with regard to very constrained networks. Both solutions and the current State-of-The-Art (SoTA) are evaluated in a Lightweight Machine to Machine (LwM2M) environment. In such situation, both developed solutions decrease the energy consumption already after 25 transmissions, compared with the current SoTA. Furthermore, simulations show that Long Range (LoRa) devices still have a 80% chance to successfully complete the registration flow in a network with a 50% Packet Error Ratio. Briefly, the work presented in this paper delivers bootstrapping tools to constrained, SCHC-enabled networks while still being able to reduce energy consumption.

Evaluation of 6LoWPAN Generic Header Compression in the Context of a RPL Network

“…One limitation of the SCHC protocol is that the context is static and must be distributed before deployment. Moons et al [ 10 ] introduce two context registration mechanisms for SCHC networks. The first mechanism extends the SCHC protocol with an adaptation layer, which is responsible for context registration.…”

Contributions to IPv6 support over low rate low power wireless networks

“…Internet access was provided to LoRaWAN devices using SCHC in [143], where the authors also evaluated end-to-end security. In [144], authors presented a device discovery and context registration for SCHC and showed that SCHC can aignificantly reduce energy consumption.…”