Abstract: This paper proposed an adaptive hybrid forward error correction (FEC)/automatic repeat request (ARCS algorithm at the data link layer for wireless sensor networks, in the hope that the reliability of data transmission could be greatly improved. The algorithm, using the Kalman filter to predict packet loss rate, adjusts the FEC parameter n. In addition, we determined that the energy consumption of ARQ depends on the wireless network condition. However, it is independent on the retransmission strategy. Both the mathematical analyses and simulation result demonstrate that the proposed mechanism can significantly improve cauality of communication, and the energy consumption is reduced as well.

Key words: Wireless sensor networks,Kalman filter,Adaptive hybrid FEC/ARQ