Towards an energy balancing solution for wireless sensor network with mobile sink node?

The issue of energy holes, or hotspots, in wireless sensor networks is well referenced. As is the proposed mobilisation of the sink node in order to combat this. However, as the mobile sink node may communicate with some nodes more than others, issues remain, such as energy spikes. In this study we propose a lightweight MAC layer solution ? Dynamic Mobility and Energy Aware Algorithm (DMEAAL). Building on existing solutions utilising a communication threshold between static nodes and a sink node using a predictable mobility pattern, DMEAAL takes knowledge of optimum energy consumption levels and implements a cross-layer approach, utilising current energy consumption and dynamically adjusting communication threshold size based on target energy consumption. This approach is shown to balance energy consumption across individual nodes without increasing overall energy consumption compared to previous solutions. This without detrimentally affecting frame delivery to the sink. As such, network lifetime is improved. In addition we propose Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) applications for this solution, removing certain functionality from static nodes and instead deploying this within the mobile sink at the network edge.

Automated summary

This study introduces a new solution DMEAAL, which utilizes a cross-layer approach to balance energy consumption among individual nodes, while improving the network's lifetime.