Performance Evaluation of AODV and OLSR-Meshed IP-Enabled IEEE802.15.4

Safety critical applications of IEEE 802.15.4 networks require autonomous network reconfiguration and dynamic meshing in case of node failures or changing environmental influences. In contrast to the classical approach of wireless sensor networks, this paper focuses on the development of enhanced network services like multimedia transmissions in a gas concentration monitoring scenario. Therefore, this paper demonstrates the application of Ad hoc On Demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) on IEEE 802.15.4 nodes based on an IP layer-instead of relying on the standard ZigBee configuration. The new network configuration is evaluated for handover processes between mobile and stationary nodes. The time delay, maximum throughput and generated overhead is compared between the two routing protocols for different node constellations. Finally, the lifetime of the node is evaluated in comparison to the ordinary IEEE 802.15.4 configuration and IEEE 802.11. Concluding, the application of AODV and OLSR for power-constrained IEEE 802.15.4 nodes is proposed.