Cross-Layer Design of a LDR-L/T UWB Sensor Network

Low data rate location/tracking UWB sensors have both location/tracking and communication capabilities, calling for novel routing and MAC strategies, in order to efficiently manage ranging and data transfer. In this paper, a particular configuration is adopted for routing and MAC, that are strongly correlated, because both are tied to the ranging module. Hence, a cross-layer design approach appears as the most appropriate. The routing algorithm, the e-GPSR, is a novel energy-aware version of a geographic reactive multi-hop protocol, namely the Greedy Perimeter Stateless Routing (GPSR). The MAC scheme is a modified hybrid slotted-aloha time-hopping code division multiple access. Performance of the e-GPSR are evaluated as a function of design parameters of MAC and ranging module. Optimal values are provided for different degrees of network’s mobility such that MAC and ranging are optimally designed to provide best performance of routing.