A Software Defined Radio Based IEEE 802.15.4k Testbed for M2M Applications

Abstract

The IEEE 802.15.4k standard has defined the phys- ical and multiple media access (MAC) layer for low-energy critical infrastructure monitoring (LECIM) networks, which can be used to monitor infrastructure facilities including industrial metering. The main features of LECIM networks are minimal infrastructure with star topology, long range communication with high receiver sensitivity, very limited energy supplied devices. Based on IEEE 802.15.4k specifications, we have designed and developed the prototypes of end device (ED) and access point (AP) using software defined radio technology. The end device is implemented with an ARM-based MCU and a RF module, while the access point is realized by GNURadio and universal software radio peripheral (USRP). A novel parallel preamble and payload detection is applied at AP to acquire multiple packets from respective ED instead of collision avoidance. Furthermore, the field trails are conducted in urban area to demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of testbed design.