Packet-loss modelling for multi-radio wireless sensor networks

Hosting multiple radio technologies in computing devices is becoming increasingly feasible, common, and widely-adopted by stakeholders to offer better services. Packet-loss analysis is essential for characterizing and evaluating the behavior of wireless systems, and thereby assists the procedures of delivering the required of quality of service level. This paper presents a packet transmission model, based on a finite-state discrete-time Markov chain. The model is used to calculate the packet loss rates of wireless communications; it is applied to multi-radio devices, and considers different transitions probability distributions. Moreover, this paper presents simulation results of the developed model as well as experimental packet loss rate evaluation of multi-radio devices equipped with 6LoWPAN and Wi-Fi radio interfaces.