Assessment of Out-of-Channel Interference Effects on IEEE 802.15.4 Wireless Sensor Networks

The impact of out-of-channel interference on IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor networks (WSNs) performance is here dealt with. In particular, the effect on networks based on the carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol is investigated. To this aim, a theoretical analysis of the problem is outlined, and results from both simulations and experiments are provided. Measurements are performed both at physical layer, through parameters like in-channel power, and at network layer, through packet error ratio estimates. The purpose is to provide from simulations and experiments a set of helpful information and hints to be used for an efficient measurement and troubleshoot of interference problems caused on IEEE 802.15.4 WSNs by out-of-band signals.