An efficient adaptive MAC frame aggregation scheme in delay tolerant sensor networks

In delay-tolerant sensor networks where connectivity is not guaranteed, sensors are seeking efficient ways to send the collected data during relatively rare transmission opportunities. Aggregation is one of the major ways to improve the data throughput while consuming less energy consumption. This paper proposes an adaptive aggregation scheme for MAC 802.11 to improve the transmission efficiency in unstable wireless delay-tolerant environments. The aggregation scheme not only considers the upper layer separation of quality of service (QoS) requirements into different queues, but also adapts the wireless channel status to the aggregation procedure. The simulation results show that the scheme improves the transmission efficiency and reduces the number of transmission times by aggregating data; thus saving sensor energy consumption.