Low Activity Mechanism for Mobile Sensor/Actuator Networks Based on IEEE 802.15.4

This paper presents a new mechanism for the management of mobile nodes fully compatible with IEEE 802.15.4 standard in non-beacon enabled mode. The proposed solution overcomes the problem related to the high association time of mobile nodes in this standard where continuous associations affect the activity time. A static structure supports the mobile nodes, and the procedure allows both data transmission from a mobile node and data reception from the static nodes with minimal activity time and high communication reliability. The approach reduces power consumption and packet loss. Experimental results have been measured on a network composed by a static structure of various hierarchical levels with multiple mobile nodes moving freely, and confirm the suitability of the proposed low activity mechanism.