Quality of Service for IEEE 802.15.4-based Wireless Body Sensor Networks

Abstract

We present a novel mechanism intended to provide Quality of Service (QoS) for IEEE 802.15.4-based Wireless Body Sensor Networks (WBSN) used for pervasive healthcare applications. The mechanism was implemented and validated on the AquisGrain WBSN platform. Our results show that the QoS performance of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard can be considerably improved in terms of reliability and timeliness for intra-node as well as inter-node scenarios while keeping backward compatibility to ensure interoperability.

A Distributed Continua AHD System with ZigBee/PAN-IF Gateway and Continua QoS Control Mechanism

“…In contrast, Garcia and Falck [7] presented a novel mechanism intended to provide QoS for non-beacon-enabled 802.15.4 network. This mechanism is compatible with existing MAC protocol and provides QoS over the IEEE 802.15.4 standard with regard to both reliability and timeliness/latency.…”

“…It has been shown in article [7] that QoS can be achieved with some modified mechanisms at the 802.15.4 MAC layer while maintaining backward compatibility. To meet the End-to-End QoS requirements, we can further modify these mechanisms in supporting the prioritized transmitting service at MAC layer and the proper control of MAC Retries parameters.…”

“…Therefore, it is required that our 802.15.4 MAC should be able to support compatible QoS Control functions in 802.15.4 MAC standards. To achieve this goal, we use the method presented in article [7] as a base and modify it as follows:…”

“…Following the method in article [7], use 3-bits (Bit 7 to 9) in the Frame Control field of MAC Header to determine eight different service levels, as depicted in the Figure 7. Use the first five values to map the five-priorities in API1 Stack and API2 Stack.…”

“…2. Instead of using Access Category method in article [7], we expand it directly to five Priority Queues in a direct mapping to the five Priorities. 3.…”