L3 mobility support in large-scale IP-based sensor networks (6LoWPAN)

Abstract

Recently, large-scale IP-based sensor technology (e.g., 6LoWPAN) is emerging for new requirements such as availability, manageability, survivability, stability, and mobility in sensor networks. 6LoWPAN standards are being developed to work on IPv6 over IEEE 802.15.4 specifications. 6LoWPANs can support various topologies like mesh as well as star. Mesh topologies imply multi-hop routing, to a desired destination. Mesh networks are likely to consist of nodes with a certain degree of mobility. Due to the low performance characteristics of 6LoWPAN nodes, mobility support should be provided without high signaling involvement in end nodes. This paper describes L3 mobility scenarios for large-scale IP-based sensor networks (6LoWPANs) and suggests solutions of how to efficiently provide mobility.