Symmetric Connectivity of Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks Based on Multi-Modal Directional Transducer

Area of Science:

• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)
• Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs)
• Topology Control

Background:

• Topology control is crucial for WSNs, impacting interference and energy consumption.
• Directional transducers in UASNs offer advantages in minimizing interference and conserving energy.
• Ensuring network connectivity with directional transducers presents a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the connectivity problem in UASNs with tri-modal directional transducers.
• To minimize total network energy consumption while maintaining network connectivity.
• To formulate the problem as a Minimum Network Cost Transducer Orientation (MNCTO) problem.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of the MNCTO problem.
• Reduction of MNCTO from the Hamiltonian path problem in hexagonal grid graphs (proved NP-complete).
• Proposal of a heuristic greedy algorithm for MNCTO.

Main Results:

• The proposed heuristic greedy algorithm efficiently solves the MNCTO problem.
• Simulation results demonstrate significant energy savings compared to omni-mode peers.
• Network energy consumption is reduced by up to nearly half, maintaining connectivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed algorithm effectively reduces energy consumption in UASNs with directional transducers.
• The approach ensures network connectivity, a critical factor for UASNs.
• This work provides a practical solution for optimizing energy efficiency in underwater sensor networks.