Probabilistic Model Checking of Contention Resolution in the IEEE 802.15.4 Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Network Protocol

Abstract—The international standard IEEE 802.15.4 defines low-rate wireless personal area networks, a central communi-cation infrastructure of pervasive computing. In order to avoid conflicts caused by multiple devices transmitting at the same time, it uses a contention resolution algorithm based on randomised exponential backoff that is similar to the ones used in IEEE 802.3 for Ethernet and IEEE 802.11 for Wireless LAN. We model the protocol using probabilistic timed automata, a formalism in which both nondeterministic and probabilistic choice can be represented. The probabilistic timed automaton is transformed into a finite-state Markov decision process via a property-preserving integral-time semantics. Using the proba-bilistic model checker PRISM, we verify correctness properties, compare different operation modes of the protocol, and analyse performance and accuracy of different model abstractions. I

Modelling Medium Access Control in IEEE 802.15.4 Nonbeacon-Enabled Networks with Probabilistic Timed Automata

This paper concerns the formal modelling of medium access control in nonbeacon-enabled IEEE 802.15.4 wireless personal area networks with probabilistic timed automata supported by the PRISM probabilistic model checker. In these networks, the devices contend for the medium by executing an unslotted carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance algorithm. In the literature, a model of a network which consists of two stations sending data to two different destination stations is introduced. We have improved this model and, based on it, we propose two ways of modelling a network with an arbitrary number of sending stations, each having its own destination. We show that the same models are valid representations of a star-shaped network with an arbitrary number of stations which send data to the same destination station. We also propose how to model such a network if some of the sending stations are not within radio range of the others, i.e. if they are hidden. We present some results obtained for these models by probabilistic model checking using PRISM

Modelling medium access control in IEEE 802.15.4 nonbeacon-enabled networks with probabilistic timed automata

This paper concerns the formal modelling of medium access control in nonbeacon-enabled IEEE 802.15.4 wireless personal area networks with probabilistic timed automata supported by the PRISM probabilistic model checker. In these networks, the devices contend for the medium by executing an unslotted carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance algorithm. In the literature, a model of a network which consists of two stations sending data to two different destination stations is introduced. We have improved this model and, based on it, we propose two ways of modelling a network with an arbitrary number of sending stations, each having its own destination. We show that the same models are valid representations of a star-shaped network with an arbitrary number of stations which send data to the same destination station. We also propose how to model such a network if some of the sending stations are not within radio range of the others, i.e. if they are hidden. We present some results obtained for these models by probabilistic model checking using PRISM