Scalable, Self-Healing, and Real-Time Network Services for Directed Diffusion

Abstract

Directed diffusion is a data-centric publish-subscribe routing protocol for sensor networks. We have designed, implemented, and evaluated three network services which build on the strengths of directed diffusion and lessen its weaknesses. The system architecture emphasizes efficient communication, local route repair, and real-time response. We evaluate the performance of our improved diffusion in terms of routing overhead, delivery effectiveness, and deadline achievement. Our results demonstrate the benefits of the network services in all three respects. We increase the efficiency of flooding, improve packet delivery rates in the presence of node failure, and decrease the number of packets that miss their deadlines.