A multi-sink swarm-based routing protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are a new emerging area where swarm intelligence can be applied with interesting implications. In fact, a strong analogy between unicellular organism colonies and wireless sensor networks can be emphasized: a sensor network can be viewed as a ldquocolonyrdquo of simple, scarce resource nodes that, autonomously, are able only to perform simple tasks, but all together can accomplish very complex problems. In this paper we propose a routing protocol for multi-sink Wireless Sensor Networks with interesting properties: self organization, fault tolerance and environmental adaptation. The proposed protocol was inspired by the well known behavior (in artificial life studies) of ldquoSlime Moldrdquo. Such colony of unicellular organisms organizes itself in clusters by pheromone generation and evaporation mechanisms. In a similar manner our protocol manages the data traffic towards multiple sink nodes using the gradient concept and reaching high levels of autonomy and fault tolerance. We analyze the proposed protocol to examine the performances, the signalling overhead and the adaptation properties to environmental changes or nodes faults using simulation techniques.