Connection-oriented communication protocol in wireless sensor networks

Several sensor network applications based on data diffusion and data management can determine the communication transfer rate between two sensors beforehand. In this framework, we consider the problem of energy efficient communication among nodes of a wireless sensor network and propose an application-driven approach that minimizes radio activity intervals and prolongs network lifetime. On the basis of possible communication delays we estimate packet arrival intervals at any intermediate hop of a fixed-rate data path. We propose two different strategies of radio activity minimization that maintain the radio switched on just in the expected packet arrival intervals and guarantee low communication latency. We define a probabilistic model that allows the evaluation of the packet loss probability that results from the reduced radio activity. The model is used to optimally choose the radio activity intervals that achieve a certain probability of successful packet delivery. Relying on the probabilistic model we also define a cost model that estimates the energy consumption of the proposed strategies, under specific settings. We finally validate our work with a simulation made with Tossim (the Berkeley motes' simulator). The simulation results confirm the validity of the approach and the accuracy of the analytic models.