Insights for metrics in assessing TSCH scheduling efficiency

Abstract

Time-Slotted Channel Hopping (TSCH) Media Access Control (MAC) has become a leading wireless technology for industrial applications, offering deterministic communication while balancing latency, bandwidth, and energy consumption. This study addresses the critical challenge of cell scheduling within TSCH MAC, emphasising the importance of selecting scheduling mechanisms based on application-specific quality of service parameters. Despite numerous proposals and evaluations, the lack of standardised scheduling methods and comprehensive performance metrics remains a significant obstacle. Traditional network metrics often fail to capture key issues in TSCH-based mesh networks, potentially overlooking indicators of network stability. To address this gap, we examine both application and network metrics from a mesh network perspective and propose a set of complementary metrics tailored to the characteristics of TSCH. These metrics provide a more detailed evaluation of how scheduling impacts network reliability and efficiency. Given the diverse applications and configurations in industrial environments, this study offers insights into employing these complementary metrics for a more accurate assessment of the impact of TSCH scheduling. Ultimately, our approach aims to improve TSCH scheduling evaluation and contribute to advancing industrial wireless communication systems.