A terminable trickle algorithm for lossy networks

Trickle algorithm, a transmission scheduling algorithm developed for wireless sensor networks (WSNs), is now widely used in low power and lossy networks. IPV6 Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) and Multicast Protocol for Low Power and Lossy networks (MPL) have employed Trickle algorithm as a basic mechanism for message dissemination. Trickle algorithm adopts a “polite gossip” policy, and it could quickly propagate update message and prevent broadcast flooding. We present an analytical model of Trickle algorithm in lossy networks, which takes the loss rate of the network into consideration. Since the packet loss degrades the network performance by increasing traffic load, we propose a terminable Trickle algorithm for lossy networks. Once a node could not hear a consistent message from a new neighbor or an inconsistent message for continuous some intervals, this node will stop persistently broadcasting. Simulation results validate that the proposed algorithm could update the network over 99% even if the loss rate comes to 70%.