Energy-Aware Random Access Networks: Connection-Based versus Packet-Based

Characterizing and comparing the optimal energy efficiency in energy-aware machine-to-machine (M2M) random access networks remains a challenge due to the distributed nature of the access behavior of nodes. To address this issue, this letter focuses on the energy efficiency limits of two typical random access schemes, i.e., connection-based Aloha and packet-based Aloha, based on which we conducted a performance comparison. Specifically, by integrating limited energy constraints and network throughput, the lifetime throughput can be derived, and further optimized with a guarantee of targeted lifetime via selecting the transmission probability. Then we present a comparative study on the optimal lifetime throughput of packet-based Aloha and connection-based Aloha to characterize criteria for beneficial connection establishment.