Broadcast storm problem in dense wireless lighting control networks

This paper presents an analysis of the performance of a dense wireless lighting control network under the impact of a broadcast storm. The analysis consists of models for the CSMA/CA mechanism and MAC operations specified by the IEEE 802.15.4 non-beacon enabled mode. The paper compares lighting networks of various densities, transmit powers and varying MAC protocol parameters. The network performance is analysed with respect to QoS parameters, such as packet loss rate and latency. The results of this analysis show clearly that today's standard protocols are not able to deliver sufficient performance in the presence of a Broadcast Storm to fulfil the requirements of a lighting control network.