Multi-channel Collection Tree Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Interference is one of the major factors influencing system performance of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This issue needs a serious attention, since WSNs are typically operating on the shared and unlicensed spectrum band. In other words, interference may not be controllable especially under the coexistence of devices operating with different standards within the same area. Collection Tree Protocol (CTP) is a routing protocol that is able to support large scale WSNs. With its ability, low level interference can be overcome by the routing process. This paper proposed an adaptation of CTP, so called multi-channel CTP, which provides higher system tolerance to the interference by allowing the multiple channel usage on top of the routing ability. The proposed system is evaluated via system level simulation and the results show the system performance enhancement under severe interference scenario in comparison with the traditional CTP.