Buffer management approach for efficient 6TiSCH network formation

IETF IPv6 over the TSCH mode of IEEE 802.15.4e (6TiSCH) is an open communication protocol stack tailored for low-power wireless networks in the industrial internet of things (IIoT). 6TiSCH recommends using a single shared cell to transmit all generated control packets while prioritising the enhanced beacon (EB) frame transmission. However, these recommendations result in increased contention, high buffer occupancy, and significant delays for lower-priority packets. Consequently, this leads to extended formation time and increased energy consumption. We analyse this issue through simulations and a queuing theory model and propose a dynamic scheduling approach for shared cells. The proposed scheme shortens packet waiting time and alleviates buffer occupancy, by dynamically allocating multiple cells, enabling faster synchronisation and formation with lower energy consumption. Our approach is evaluated through Cooja simulations and implemented in a real testbed using FIT IoT-Lab. By comparing our results with recent approaches, we validate the effectiveness of our proposed scheme.