Cross layer modeling of contention-based MAC and deterministic routing protocols in multi-hop WSNs

Analytical studies of Medium Access Control (MAC) layer protocols can be used to improve the performance of multi-hop Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in the presence of hidden stations. The selected MAC layer protocol should conform to the distributed nature of the WSNs. The IEEE 802.11 MAC layer with Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) is well suited to WSNs. Analytical studies of IEEE 802.11 DCF in the presence of hidden stations in multi-hop WSNs is very crucial as it is widely used. In this paper, an analytical model considering hidden stations in a multi-hop WSN has been developed to study the cross layer performance of IEEE 802.11 DCF under a deterministic routing protocol. Using this model, theoretically measurements like probability of collision, medium access delay, end to end success probability, and end to end delay of each sensor node in the network can be achieved. Accuracy of the analytical model has been verified with simulation results. The model can be used to determine whether a specific WSN can achieve the expected performance.