Small, Random Identifiers
Sensor nets have many uses for unique identifiers (packet fragmentation, reinforcement, compression codebooks...)
It’s critical to maximize usefulness of every bit transmitted; each reduces net lifetime (Pottie)
Low data rates + high dynamics = no space to amortize large (guaranteed unique) ids or claim/collide protocol
So: use small, random, ephemeral transaction ids?
- Locality is key: random ids much smaller than guaranteed unique ids if total net size large and transaction density small
- ID collisions lead to occasional losses; persistent losses avoided because the identifiers are constantly changing
- Marginal cost of occasional losses is small compared to losses from dynamics, wireless conditions, collisions…