Performance evaluation of IEEE 802.15.6-based WBANs under co-channel interference

Abstract

In this paper, interference mitigation and coexistence strategies proposed in IEEE 802.15.6 standard are investigated within the context of co-channel interference. A comparative evaluation of the reference scenario (which does not use any coexistence scheme), two non-collaborative (i.e., time shared, random channel) and one implicitly collaborative (i.e., CSMA/CA) based coexistence schemes is presented for five co-located bodies. Extensive set of physical, medium access control (MAC) parameters are invoked to realise a comprehensive study with enhanced IEEE 802.15.6 proposed channel models. It is concluded that there is trade-off between coexistence schemes. For example, time shared and random channel provides much better packet reception ratio (PRR) and energy efficiency, though they suffer in meeting the delay constraints of the IEEE 802.15.6 standard. Whereas, CSMA/CA based implicit collaborative approach is able to achieve the delay requirements however, it does not perform well both in terms of PRR and energy consumption.