WSN14-2: On Energy Issues of Cooperative Communication in Energy Constrained Wireless Networks

Cooperative communication can obtain spatial diversity through the cooperative use of antennas belonging to several wireless nodes. It is also believed to be an energy efficient communication means. In this paper, we give a detailed analysis on the energy issues for a typical cooperative communication model in energy constrained wireless networks such as wireless sensor networks. We find that by carefully adjusting the transmitting energy level of every cooperative node, the total energy consumption can be greatly reduced. We find that the energy benefits of the cooperative communication are also closely related to some network parameters Cooperative communication can obtain spatial diversity through the cooperative use of antennas belonging to several wireless nodes. It is also believed to be an energy efficient communication means. In this paper, we give a detailed analysis on the energy issues for a typical cooperative communication model in energy constrained wireless networks such as wireless sensor networks. We find that by carefully adjusting the transmitting energy level of every cooperative node, the total energy consumption can be greatly reduced. We find that the energy benefits of the cooperative communication are also closely related to some network parameters.