Cross-layer MAC design for location-aware wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we propose an optimization of MAC protocol design for wireless sensor networks, that accounts for cross-layering information, in terms of location accuracy for nodes and residual energy levels. In our proposed solution we encode this cross-layer information within a decreasing backoff function in the MAC. The protocol is optimized by appropriately selecting priority window lengths, and we have shown that accurate cross-layer information plays a crucial role in achieving an optimal performance at the MAC layer level. The estimation accuracy can be characterized spatially using a location reliability probability distribution function. We show that this distribution function greatly influences the design of the optimal backoff window parameters, and the overall throughput performance of the MAC protocol.