A Comprehensive Survey on IPv6 Over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN)

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and networking capabilities, enabling them to collect and exchange data over the internet. Within IoT applications, Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (LP-WPANs) hold significant importance. One of the primary challenges in IoT implementation involves connecting devices that possess low power and limited resources. To overcome this challenge, the IPv6 Over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN) protocol stack was developed. Within 6LoWPAN networks, congestion arising from excessive network traffic leads to a notable decline in network performance and negatively impacts Quality of Service (QoS). This paper presents the 6LoWPAN network, specifically designed to facilitate the transmission of IPv6 packets over IEEE 802.15.4 wireless networks. It outlines the components of the 6LoWPAN protocol stack, including the adaptation layer, network layer, and transport layer. Additionally, the paper explores congestion within 6LoWPAN networks and discusses various congestion control algorithms proposed to mitigate this issue. The paper explores the applications of GLoWPAN, focusing on its potential in the IoT ecosystem. It highlights the benefits of 6LoWPAN for IoT applications, including its ability to support large numbers of low-power devices and compatibility with existing IPv6-based systems. Finally, the paper discusses security issues in 6LoWPAN.