X-Layer: An Experimental Implementation of a Cross-Layer Network Protocol Stack for Wireless Sensor Networks

Cross-layer design of network protocol stacks is important for wireless networking applications due to limited resources. Although much has been proposed in the literature, little experimental cross-layer work has been done. Even less has been done concerning actual designs for such cross-layer network stacks. This paper presents X-Layer, an implementation of a “cross-layer” network stack for wireless sensor networks, designed under the assumption that different network layers will interact and share resources directly with each other. X-Layer’s cross-layer stack is compared with a network stack implemented with traditional network layer abstractions using the same basic protocols at each layer as in the cross-layer stack. The efficiency and effectiveness of the stacks are compared and evaluated. Based on this evaluation a new mechanism is proposed for managing shared network resources and code in an orderly fashion.