Optimized Orphan Algorithm for IEEE 802.15.4 networks

The IEEE 802.15.4 standard offers a low-cost, low-power and short-range wireless communications, which are known by the acronym LR-WPAN (Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network). The loss of coverage of a device involves a long process when it has to join again the wireless network, having associated a high delay and energy waste. These drawbacks imply this Orphan device stays a long time unable to perform its network operation but simultaneously consuming power. In this paper we propose and design a new algorithm, called Optimized Orphan Algorithm (OOA), which provides a considerable reduction on the delay and energy consumption during the orphan process. Performance evaluation of the OOA algorithm is conducted by using a ns-2 simulation environment. Finally, a real-implementation is assessed as case of study. This real-case validates the simulation results.