Green-Frag: Energy-efficient frame fragmentation scheme for wireless sensor networks

Frame fragmentation techniques aim to achieve higher throughput by reducing retransmissions. Using experiments on a WSN testbed, we show that frame fragmentation also helps to reduce energy consumption. In this paper we propose Green-Frag, a new energy-efficient protocol based on efficient frame fragmentation technique. Green-Frag allows sensor nodes to transmit data with optimal transmit power and frame structure based on environmental conditions. Green-Frag takes into consideration the channel conditions, interference patterns and level, as well as the distance between sender and receiver. The paper discusses various design and implementation considerations for Green-Frag. Using experimental evaluation on a sensor mote testbed, we show that Green-Frag achieves the least energy consumption by choosing the best transmit power according to the channel conditions.