Low-energy operation management scheme using superframe modification for wireless grid network structures

This paper proposes a low-energy operation management scheme that enables the customization of device functions in the wireless grid structures according to the assumed applications that are diversified in service area, device number, communication range and use cases in order to support the required data collection that is also necessary for the big data management in the Internet of Things (IoT) services. To satisfy the required specifications, effective deployment of the Smart Utility Network (SUN) standardized as the IEEE 802.15.4g/4e standards and is under certification by Wi-SUN alliance. We have introduced the concept of three basic network categories of high capacity data collection network, ultra low-energy operation network and reinforced mesh network. In this paper, we have focused on the ultra low-energy operation network that is realized with the modified superframe structure defined in IEEE 802.15.4e where periodically deployed sleeping periods drastically decrease the average power consumption. In this paper, we confirm that the proposed low-energy operation enables more than 10 years data exchange operation with three AA batteries. Furthermore, we propose an effective low-latency control signal transmission based on the assumed low-energy operation in order to avoid the serious latency for the control data to the devices equipped with the actuators. Then, the proof test of the proposed low-latency enhancement is conducted in the agricultural water management testbed. The paper confirms that the proposed low-energy operation management scheme effectively works not only for low-energy data collection utilities but also low-latency control signal transmission functions.