Clustered Zigbee networks with data fusion: Characterization and performance analysis

In this paper, we analyze the performance of clustered Zigbee wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with data fusion. Performance indicators at both physical (probability of decision error) and network (network transmission rate, throughput, aggregate throughput, delay, and network lifetime) layers are considered. Data fusion is carried out at the access point (AP) and, in clustered configurations, also at the clusterheads, which act as intermediate fusion centers (FCs). The goal of this paper is to shed light on the joint impact of topology and data fusion on the network performance. The presented results, mainly obtained through Opnet-based simulations, show clearly that the operational point of a Zigbee WSN with data fusion lies over a characteristic multi-dimensional surface, whose shape remains the same regardless of the number of nodes in the network. The existence of this peculiar surface highlights fundamental performance trade-offs in Zigbee networks.