6GLAD: IPv6 Global to Link-layer ADdress Translation for 6LoWPAN Overhead Reducing

Abstract

The next generation of wireless sensor networks will integrate communication systems beyond the third generation paradigm. As a result of this integration, the new communication systems will be fed by the sensor networks with information gathered from the environment, achieving context awareness. To reach the necessary end-to-end connectivity between all-IP networks and sensor networks, the IETF 6LoWPAN working group has designed an IPv6 adaptation layer for low power devices. This protocol stack provides IPv6 interoperability to the sensor networks, thus avoiding as much overhead as possible. This paper analyses and evaluates the associated IP communication overhead in each possible 6LoWPAN scenario, from intra to inter network communication. We conclude that, even the 6LoWPAN offering a light weight IP solution for link local sensor network communication, it has a relatively high overhead when data flows between different networks. In order to avoid the communication overhead when global IPv6 addressing is necessary we propose a new solution based on a 6LoWPAN global-to-link-layer address translation.