Cooperative Cross-Layer Design for Wireless Networks

Abstract

Cross-layer optimization is an effective mechanism to improve wireless network performance and efficiency. Although cross-layer optimization is not a new technique, it can be applied effectively to different wireless technologies to handle different problems while still conforming to the wireless standards. Utility functions are constructed from measurements of the different OSI layers to provide input into our Cross-Layer Optimization Engine (CLOE). ZigBee technology was chosen as the test platform to demonstrate our proposed mechanism. Experiments were performed in simulated and live environments. Various mobility scenarios allowed observation of ZigBee devices with default operations and with CLOE. Our results show that CLOE can provide ZigBee with significant energy savings.