Analysis of Slave–Slave Bridging in IEEE 802.15.4 Beacon-Enabled Networks

In this paper, we consider the interconnection of IEEE 802.15.4 beacon-enabled network clusters using ordinary network nodes as bridge nodes. Although the IEEE 802.15.4 standard does not say anything about cluster interconnection, by following the analogy with IEEE 802.15.1 networks, we denote such a bridge as the slave-slave (SS) bridge. We develop queuing and Markov chain models for clusters that are interconnected via the SS bridge under carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance and guaranteed time slots bridge access modes, respectively. We also address acknowledged and non acknowledged data transfers under both bridge access modes. Based on numerical results, we compare and discuss design options.