Resource Scheduling Based on Priority Ladders for Multiple Performance Requirements in Wireless Body Area Networks

Media access control (MAC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring proper operation in wireless body area networks (WBANs). However, current solutions still cannot satisfy multiple performance requirements of such networks. In this article, we propose a priority ladders-based resource scheduling (PLRS) scheme to meet these demands. First, we design a multiple-level priority division approach, which is based on health parameters and data types of patients. Unlike only two priorities of nodes in other schemes, there are four priorities in our solution. This is more practical and more fair for different nodes. Moreover, we devise a ladders-based time-slot allocation method, in which time slots of nodes are increased round by round based on the priority ladders of nodes. This reduces the difference of the number of time slots between disparate nodes with close priorities, and accordingly enhances the fairness of nodes. In addition, we design an interval-based task ordering approach, in which nodes use the allocated time slots in dispersed multiple intervals rather than a continuous time span in conventional solutions. This guarantees high throughput of high-priority nodes and short waiting time of emergency data. Extensive simulations exhibit the advantages of PLRS in terms of energy overhead, delay, and utility.