Application-Driven Analytic Toolbox for WSNs

In this paper we propose a Generic Analytical DesiGn EnvironmenT (GADGET) Toolbox for designing the most suitable MAC protocol for an arbitrary wireless sensor network (WSN) application. Furthermore, a model to weight the metrics in the design and a new single compound metric are proposed. Comparing performance curves produced by a number of metrics make it difficult to evaluate how well a given protocol suits for the purposes of an application. It may also be difficult to estimate, which of the protocols at hand would perform the best with respect to that application. Matching the application with the most appropriate protocols is critical for efficient WSN operation because the sensor nodes are resource constrained by nature. The analytic hierarchy process and a pair-wise weighted comparison of the protocols enable to emphasise application performance requirements and to produce a single performance curve either by combination of competing protocols (fractional) or per protocol (absolute). The former provides suitability of one protocol over others with respect to an application whereas the latter provides also insight on the absolute performance of the protocol.