Reliability of wireless sensor networks

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Network Engineering

Background:

• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) face challenges with limited resources (processing, storage, battery).
• Strategies to reduce power consumption and enhance reliability often conflict.
• Increased reliability, such as multipath routing, typically elevates power demands in WSNs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel model for evaluating WSN reliability.
• To incorporate battery level as a critical factor in reliability assessment.
• To analyze the influence of routing algorithms on WSN reliability and power consumption.

Main Methods:

• Development of a reliability evaluation model for WSNs.
• Integration of battery level as a key parameter within the model.
• Analysis based on established WSN routing algorithms.
• Evaluation through three distinct simulation scenarios.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of the direct impact of power consumption on WSN reliability.
• Quantification of how battery levels affect network performance and dependability.
• Validation of the proposed model's effectiveness in diverse operational contexts.

Conclusions:

• Battery level is a crucial determinant of WSN reliability.
• The proposed model provides a framework for understanding the power-reliability trade-off in WSNs.
• Routing strategies significantly influence both power consumption and reliability, necessitating careful selection.