Equalizing Sensor Energy and Maximising Sensor Network Lifespan Using RETT

Abstract

Lately, sensor networks have received much attention in the research community. One of the aims of these networks is to make them self-configuring and self-healing so that they can be easily deployed and self-sufficient. A fundamental limitation with sensor networks is their limited life span because of their battery operation. To that end, much research has been carried out to maximize the life span of sensor networks through energy conservation. In this paper; we investigate energy conservation from a different angle. We introduce RETT, a protocol that aims at equalising energy in such a way that the entire network remains operational at maximal time in case the application would so require. When the entire network is operational, it is certain that events from any sensor in the network will find a delivery path through the network and that actuation of actuators in response to sensed events will be carried out. We focus on the algorithms that enable this and provide experimental results that show how they save on energy compared with the well-known LEACH algorithm.

National ICT Australia is funded through the Australian Government’s Backing Australia’s Ability initiative, in part through the Australian Research Council.