Cooperative RPL: Power-Smart Routing for Next-Gen IOT

Abstract: The deployment of numerous low-power, low-cost embedded devices is crucial for the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT). Efficient routing protocols are essential to ensure seamless communication and optimize energy usage within these networks. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has standardized the IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) to address these challenges. In this study, we introduce Cooperative RPL (Co-RPL), an enhanced energy-efficient routing protocol that leverages node cooperation to minimize unnecessary packet transmissions and optimize power consumption. By implementing an Active/Sleep scheduling mechanism with a Round Robin approach, Co-RPL strategically selects active nodes for communication while placing others in sleep mode, thereby reducing energy expenditure and improving network efficiency. Performance evaluations using the Cooja simulator in Contiki 3.0 reveal that Co-RPL significantly reduces network energy consumption compared to traditional RPL. Specifically, Co-RPL lowers the average radio listen ratio by up to 8% and the radio transmission ratio by up to 13%, leading to improved energy conservation. Additionally, it mitigates network congestion and enhances overall efficiency, making it a promising solution for energy-aware IoT networks.