Resource Scheduling Based on Multi-Factor Priority for High Performance Requirements in WBANs

Media access control (MAC) plays a pivotal role in ensuring proper operation in wireless body area networks (WBAN). However, current solutions still cannot satisfy high performance requirements of low latency and energy efficiency for emergency data reporting. In this article, we propose a Multi- Factor Emergency Scheduling Scheme (MESS) for meeting such a strict demand. First, we design a Data Classification method including periodic data and emergency data. Unlike consistent data characteristics in other schemes, data heterogeneity is considered in our solution, which is more practical for different nodes. Second, we carefully devise a Multi-Factor Priority Division Scheme according to the Disease-Related Factor, Critical Degree Factor, Health Severity Factor and Age of Information Factor. This is more comprehensive consideration of the key characteristics of the node. In addition, we design a Dynamic Slot Allocation and Sequencing Approach, in which time slots of nodes are allocated based on the Data Classification and Multi-Factor Priority-Based Ordering. This enhances low latency and guarantees energy efficiency of nodes, and short waiting time of emergency data. Extensive simulations exhibit the advantages of MESS in terms of delay and energy efficiency.