15-09-2017, 03:06 PM
To avoid difficulties in link estimation, we propose to estimate unicast link properties directly through data traffic without using periodic tags. To this end, we designed a data-based routing protocol, Learn-on-the-Fly (LOF). LOF chooses routes based on ETX / ETT type metrics, but metrics are computed through MAC feedback for transmission of unicast data rather than broadcast beacons. Using a realistic sensor network traffic tracing and a ~ 195 Stargates 802.11b test bench, we experimentally compared the performance of LOF with that of beacon-based protocols, represented by ETX without geographic knowledge and geographical PRD. We find that LOF reduces end-to-end MAC latency by a factor of 3, improves energy efficiency by a factor of up to 2.37 and improves network performance by a factor of up to 7.78, demonstrating feasibility and the potential benefits of data-link estimation and routing.