A function approach for simple wireless sensor node energy consumption modeling

Embedded applications in the field of wireless sensor nodes are becoming more and more sensitive to energy consumption. Actually, this latter not only depends on the autonomy of the hardware part of network elements but also on the applications they support. Designers must so take into account the constraint of energy consumption when specifying and designing an application. Instead of considering the hardware consumption, we propose to raise the level of abstraction to focus on and to study various functions in the node. We consider a function modeling approach in order to get a more complete estimation in term of energy consumption. In order to construct a model of a full node, we propose a generic model for functions in node. Input and output parameters of the functions are investigated to identify the relationship between them. In the case of energy modeling, each function is well characterized by its power profiles and rules for changing its inner state. The simulation allows us to view the difference in energy consumption according to the implemented applications in the node model. The final goal of this work is to provide a tool to influence application choices according to energy consumption early in the design of wireless sensor node.