IoT-enabled Channel Selection approach for WBANs

Abstract

Abstract-Recent advances in microelectronics have enabled the realization of Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). However, the massive growth in wireless devices and the push for interconnecting these devices to form an Internet of Things (IoT) can be challenging for WBANs; hence robust communication is necessary through careful medium access arbitration. In this paper, we propose a new protocol to enable WBAN operation within an IoT. Basically, we leverage the emerging Bluetooth Low Energy technology (BLE) and promote the integration of a BLE transceiver and a Cognitive Radio module (CR) within the WBAN coordinator. Accordingly, a BLE informs WBANs through announcements about the frequency channels that are being used in their vicinity. To mitigate interference, the superframe's active period is extended to involve not only a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) frame, but also a Flexible Channel Selection (FCS) and a Flexible Backup TDMA (FBTDMA) frames. The WBAN sensors that experience interference on the default channel within the TDMA frame will eventually switch to another Interference Mitigation Channel (IMC). With the help of CR, an IMC is selected for a WBAN and each interfering sensor will be allocated a time-slot within the (FBTDMA) frame to retransmit using such IMC.

Energy-Efficient Protocol of Link Scheduling in Cognitive Radio Body Area Networks for Medical and Healthcare Applications

“…The primary users that are located in the same network occupy K non-overlapping orthogonal frequencies. The probability of primary user activity is modeled as a two-state Markov chain [13], where the states represent the idle and busy states of the channel. The probability that a primary user becomes idle is p idle , and the probability that a primary user becomes busy is p busy .…”

“…The network area is divided into nine rooms [3]; each room has one PU and several CRBANs. We compare ELS to spectrum-aware priority-based link scheduling (SPLS) algorithm [12], and channel selection algorithm for multiple WBANs and the applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) [13]. In [12], the SPLS algorithm aims to assign CRBANs to different channels.…”

“…In [12], the SPLS algorithm aims to assign CRBANs to different channels. In [13], the channel selection algorithm will select the idle channel for WBAN transmission to avoid interference among IoT devices and WBANs. In this paper, "IoTWBAN" represents the channel selection algorithm for CRBANs [13].…”

“…As a result, the transmission of each CRBAN is improved in terms of success ratio and latency. In another scenario, CRBANs may be in the same vicinity as other devices using the same channel [13]. Each CRBAN utilizes cognitive radio to change the working channel and avoid interference.…”

Moving Towards Body-to-Body Sensor Networks for Ubiquitous Applications: A Survey

“…Besides, a recent channel selection approach for interference mitigation (CSIM) [100] enables the WBAN operation within IoT environment. The CSIM protocol involves a BLE transceiver together with a cognitive radio module within the WBAN coordinator, so as to inform the WBAN through announcements of the frequency channels used in its vicinity, allowing him to switch to another wireless channel providing less interference within his surrounding.…”