Dynamic and Non-Centric Networking Approach Using Virtual Gateway Platforms for Low Power Wide Area Systems

To actively develop and promote Internet of Things related techniques, we propose a dynamic and non-centric networking approach using virtual gateway platforms, and evaluate it based on low-power wide-area networks that adopt the traditional star and mesh topologies. In our approach, for each local device, we first present a device management method in which two working modes are set to indicate whether the device works as a virtual gateway (VGW) or provides relay services. Then an internal parameter is defined to manage the mode by considering the device’s current states, such as battery power remaining, presence or absence of an external power supply, etc. We thereafter propose a mode switching method where two time-varying threshold values are configured and help a local device to switch between the two modes through the use of an internal parameter. Finally, a path determination algorithm is applied to find routes for data transmission with or without devices playing the role of VGWs. Computer simulation results indicate that the proposed networking approach can take advantage of both traditional star and mesh systems, enables dynamic and non-centric changes in network configurations, and finally ensures that in most cases, the transmission performance is equivalent to or better than that of other network setups.