Optimizing IoT Wireless Networks Through Distributed Allocation of Idle Time Slots

While the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) has expanded networking capabilities, it has also intensified challenges regarding communication reliability and resource constraints in wireless environments. Interference and message collisions significantly impact fault tolerance and energy efficiency, particularly in distance-2 colored networks. While traditional TDMA-based MAC schemes mitigate collisions, they often leave a gap in performance due to underutilized time slots. This paper bridges that gap by unveiling an incisive study on harnessing underused time slots to bolster both communication and energy efficiency in wireless networks. Our new distributed protocol—operating within the synchronous distance-2 colored broadcast/receive model—empowers highly active nodes to judiciously borrow time slots from underutilized neighbors while preserving collision-free and conflict-free guarantees. Furthermore, we introduce a nuanced probability-based strategy that enables nodes to discern opportune moments for lending their time slots. Experimental results substantiate the efficacy of our proposed solution, offering a pathway toward optimizing wireless network operations in the IoT era.