Receiving data in a sensor network

A computer program product stored on a computer readable storage medium, comprising computer readable program code means for performing the steps of:

• sensing data packets transmitted on a communication medium;
• estimating the total traffic intensity of data packets generated by the transmitting devices;
• adapting a detection threshold for receiving data packets as a function of the total intensity;
• ignoring data packets with a received signal strength below the current detection threshold;
• and
• receiving data packets with a received signal strength above the current detection threshold.

A sensor network comprising:

• a plurality of wireless sensors having transmitters;
• one or more receiving devices;
• and
• a central server for receiving data from the one or more receiving devices;
• wherein the one or more receiving devices comprising:
• a receiving circuit for receiving data packets from the sensors, the data packets having a signal strength above a current detection threshold;
• an estimator for the total traffic intensity of data packets generated by the sensors;
• a controller for adapting the detection threshold for receiving data packets as a function of the total traffic intensity;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting received data to the central server.

A method for receiving data from a plurality of transmitting devices at a receiving device, comprising:

• detecting a first data packet with a first signal strength;
• detecting a second data packet with a second signal strength;
• comparing the first and second signal strengths;
• receiving the data packet with the stronger signal strength.