Optimizing the MAC layer in real-time visual sensor networks applications using stencils

This paper analyzes the behavior of the MAC layer in applications using stencil skeletons in Visual Sensor Networks (VSN) applications. Specifically, we analyze the communication pattern required by a specific skeleton (INS) and simulate its behavior using a selection current MAC layers available on VSN. We analyze both the energy required by different MACs and their ability to reach low latencies needed for real-time applications. The results show that, using energy efficient protocols like T-MAC, it is possible to reach a good tradeoff between performance and energy. To reach this result, however, T-MAC parameters (frame size, contention time and timeout) need to be carefully tuned exploiting the characteristics of the pattern.