UAV-Assisted Wireless Sensor Network Energy Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) face uneven energy distribution due to multi-hop routing, leading to early paralysis, as sensor nodes close to the sink node consume energy faster, while those far away consume less, resulting in inefficient energy use and reduced network lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to optimize energy efficiency by determining a next hover node and generating a new routing scheme through an actor-critic reinforcement learning algorithm, which balances energy consumption across sensor nodes by dynamically adjusting the UAV's collection location and routing protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-hop routing is used to transmit data from sensor nodes to sink node, then data transmission capability is improved, but energy consumption becomes uneven and network lifetime is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile data collector (MDC) as an intermediary between sensor nodes and the sink node. The MDC moves through the network to collect data directly from sensor nodes, eliminating the need for multi-hop routing. This mediator approach balances energy consumption by having all nodes transmit only one hop to the MDC, preventing the energy depletion problem that occurs in traditional multi-hop routing where intermediate nodes near the sink bear excessive forwarding burden.
2Productivity
If sensor nodes close to sink node forward more data, then data collection efficiency is improved, but these nodes consume energy faster causing early paralysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mobile data collector that dynamically changes its position and collects data from different sensor nodes at different times. Instead of having fixed routing paths where certain nodes always forward more data, the MDC moves through the network, allowing all sensor nodes to have relatively equal data forwarding responsibilities. This dynamic approach ensures that no single node is permanently burdened with excessive forwarding tasks, thereby extending network lifetime while maintaining collection efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If UAV is used as mobile data collector, then flexibility and mobility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the UAV to serve multiple functions: it acts as a mobile data collector, a charging station, and a network management node. By making the UAV universal, the system reduces overall complexity because a single platform performs multiple roles that would otherwise require separate components. The UAV can collect data from sensor nodes, recharge their batteries wirelessly, and manage network operations, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for optimizing the energy efficiency of wireless sensor network based on the assistance of unmanned aerial vehicle, firstly, collecting the state of the WSN through current routing scheme, and inputting the state of the WSN into the decision network of the agent to determine a next hover node; Secondly, based on the location of the next hover node, generating a new routing scheme by the UAV, and sending each sensor node's routing to its corresponding sensor node through current routing by the UAV; Lastly, after all sensor nodes have received their routings respectively, all sensor nodes send their collected data to the hover node through their routings respectively, and the UAV flies to and hovers above the next hover node to collect data through the next hover node, thus the data collection of the whole WSN is completed. Considering that the amounts of data forwarded by the sensor nodes are different, the rates of energy consumptions of the sensor nodes are also different, an online determination of the data collection scheme is adopted. When the residual energies of the sensor nodes relatively have changed, the UAV needs to determine a next hover node and generate a new routing scheme according to current state of the WSN, thus the energy efficiency of wireless sensor network is optimized and the lifetime of the WSN is maximized.