ECKN: An Integrated Approach for Position Estimation, Packet Routing, and Sleep Scheduling in Wireless Sensor...

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Network Engineering

Background:

• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) face challenges in network lifetime and node localization due to battery constraints and unattended deployment.
• Existing solutions often address localization and network longevity separately, creating a need for integrated approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel, integrated mechanism called energy-aware connected k-neighborhood (ECKN) for WSNs.
• To enhance network lifetime, improve node localization accuracy, and ensure efficient packet routing.

Main Methods:

• ECKN employs trilateration for position estimation using a mobile sink and localized neighbors.
• A routing protocol based on greedy geographic forwarding (GGF) is adapted to consider residual energy for reliable packet delivery.
• A sleep scheduling mechanism, leveraging the connected k-neighborhood (CKN), is used to conserve energy while maintaining network connectivity.

Main Results:

• ECKN successfully extends WSN network lifetime.
• The mechanism accurately localizes sensor nodes.
• It sustains an acceptable packet delivery ratio while reducing overall network overhead.

Conclusions:

• ECKN provides a unified solution for critical WSN design factors: localization, routing, and energy management.
• The integrated approach significantly enhances WSN performance and longevity, particularly in resource-constrained environments.