ALBA: an Adaptive Load Balanced Algorithm for Geographic Forwarding in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we propose and analyze ALBA, an original packet forwarding protocol for ad hoc and sensor networks. ALBA follows an integrated approach that combines geographic routing and medium access control (MAC), exploiting the knowledge of node positions in order to achieve energy-efficient data forwarding. The scenario we consider is very critical for medium-high traffic, as contentions for channel access and the resulting collisions lead to performance degradation. To counter this effect, we leverage on network density, favoring the choice relay candidates that are not in overload. With our protocol, nodes strive to channelize traffic toward uncongested network regions, rather than just maximizing the advancement towards the final destination. We carry out extensive simulations that compare ALBA to GeRaF and MACRO, two recently proposed cross-layer approaches with similar goals. The results show that our design achieves very good delivery and latency performance, and can greatly limit energy consumption.