An adaptive sampling scheme for improved energy utilization in wireless sensor networks

This paper presents the design and evaluation of a novel adaptive sampling algorithm for reducing energy consumption in data acquisition and communication subsystems of a wireless sensor node. The algorithm uses isochronous measurements of the frequency content of the signal as the basis for adaptively varying the sampling rate. This allows signal acquisition at the minimum rate without sacrificing signal quality. Simulation results indicate that the algorithm dynamically responds to changes in the frequency content by adjusting the sampling rate, thus achieving a significant reduction in the energy consumed in acquisition and communication, with only a minimal loss in signal fidelity.