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Clock synchronization in wireless sensor networks: an overview
Ill-Keun Rhee1, Jaehan Lee, Jangsub Kim
1Department of Electronic Engineering, Hannam University / 133 Ojung-Dong, Daeduck-Gu, Daejun, 306-791, Korea;
Recent advances in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) enable wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This paper reviews WSN clock synchronization protocols and methods for estimating clock offset and skew.
Area of Science:
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Network Engineering
Background:
- Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology advances have enabled tiny, low-cost, low-power, multifunctional sensor nodes.
- Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of interconnected sensor nodes for real-world monitoring.
- Many WSN applications require synchronized local clocks across sensor nodes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing clock synchronization protocols for WSNs.
- To examine methods for estimating clock offset and skew in WSNs.
- To identify representative clock synchronization protocols.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of WSN clock synchronization protocols.
- Analysis of clock offset and skew estimation techniques.
- Categorization of prominent synchronization protocols.
Main Results:
- Overview of various WSN clock synchronization protocols.
- Detailed examination of offset and skew estimation methods within these protocols.
- Identification of key protocols and their synchronization strategies.
Conclusions:
- Clock synchronization is crucial for many WSN applications.
- Understanding clock offset and skew estimation is vital for WSN performance.
- This review provides a comprehensive overview of WSN clock synchronization.
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