Wireless Sensor Network Routing via Synchronized Sleep-Active Schedules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless sensor networks face challenges in routing data efficiently and reliably, particularly in large-scale networks, due to battery-powered nodes that can lead to data loss and network failure, and existing routing protocols are energy-inefficient and have high protocol overhead.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines geographic routing with a sleep-active schedule, where network nodes are synchronized to operate in active mode only when necessary, dividing the network into disjoint areas with specific regions for data forwarding, and using a sleep-active schedule to minimize energy consumption and maximize network performance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network nodes continuously operate in active mode to ensure reliable data forwarding, then network reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of network nodes using beacon intervals and duty cycles. Nodes alternate between active and sleep modes in regular cycles, activating only during specific time windows to forward data packets. This periodic operation maintains network functionality while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic sleep-active schedules where nodes can adjust their active periods based on network conditions and data traffic requirements. The scheduling mechanism allows nodes to dynamically switch between sleep and active states, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption in real-time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If network nodes are divided into sleep and active modes with synchronized scheduling, then energy consumption is reduced, but data loss may occur and network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through beacon transmissions and acknowledgments to coordinate sleep-active schedules across the network. Nodes use received beacons to synchronize their active periods and adjust their schedules based on network conditions, ensuring reliable data delivery while maintaining energy efficiency. The feedback loop allows nodes to adapt to changing traffic patterns and maintain synchronization.
3Productivity
If geographic routing is used to select forwarding nodes based on location, then routing efficiency is improved, but protocol overhead increases due to location information requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary geographic routing calculations and forwarding node selections during active periods based on destination location information. Nodes pre-compute optimal forwarding paths using geographic coordinates before data transmission begins, reducing the need for complex real-time routing decisions and minimizing protocol overhead during actual data forwarding.
4Productivity
If all network nodes remain active to ensure continuous data forwarding capability, then network performance is maintained, but battery life is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple geographic areas and divides forwarding responsibilities among nodes in different regions. By spatially segmenting the network and assigning specific forwarding tasks to nodes in relevant areas, the system maintains adequate network performance while allowing non-essential nodes to enter sleep mode, thereby extending battery life.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for routing at least a data packet in a wireless sensor network (10), the wireless sensor network (10) comprising: at least a source node (S) that is configurable to transmit at least a data packet; at least a destination node (D) that is configurable to receive the data packet transmitted by the source node (S), and interconnectable network nodes (si) between the source node (S) and the destination node (D) that are configurable to receive and forward the data packet, the method comprising the steps of: operating the network nodes (si) according to a sleep-active schedule comprising at least a sleep mode and an active mode, and configuring the network nodes (si) to have information on their own geographic location and the geographic location of the destination node (D), the method further comprising the steps of: dividing the wireless sensor network (10) into a plurality of disjoint areas (A0, AM-1, A1, A2) that are separated by boundaries; separating each area (A0, AM-1, A1, A2) into at en least two regions, the regions being an inner boundary region (I), a central region (C) and an outer boundary region (O); selecting forwarding nodes out of the network nodes (si) to route the data packet from the source node (S) to the destination node (D), such forwarding nodes being selected on the basis of their geographic location relative to the destination node (D) and the network nodes being synchronized relative to each other, and configuring the sleep-active schedule such that only those forwarding nodes that are selected to route the data packet in a given time window are operable in the active mode and all the other network nodes (si) are operable in the sleep mode.