Comparison Analysis of MAC Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are rapidly emerging as an interesting and challenging area of research in the field of communication engineering. This review work is different from other state-of-the-art literature as the MAC protocols discussed here are applicable both for homogeneous and heterogeneous networks. Performances like energy efficiency, cost optimization, throughput, bandwidth utilization, and scalability of the sensor network depend on MAC protocols, which are application-based. In the study, the authors have surveyed different MAC protocols with different merits and demerits. Based on the study, it is very hard to recommend any particular protocol as a standard for implementation as these are exclusively application dependent. The work can be further extended in terms of hybrid protocols, which may carry the advantages of the respective protocols along with energy-efficient criteria for practical implementation. Further cooperative WSN communication can be used for internet of things (IoT)-based systems, where the node placements and multi-operations concepts are of main concern.