A novel MAC scheduling algorithm for Bluetooth system

Data exchange within a Bluetooth piconet is master-driven. The channel/slot utilization thus depends on the efficiency of the scheduling algorithm adopted by the master. In this paper, a novel MAC layer scheduling algorithm, called floating threshold (FT), is proposed. Unlike existing approaches, FT allows the master to estimate the backlog queue status at each slave accurately based only on a single feedback bit and a floating threshold. The master can then derive an optimized packet transmission schedule. Using simulations, we show that FT outperforms existing algorithms in terms of channel utilization, packet delay and packet dropping probability.