Lifetime optimization of multi-hop wireless sensor networks by regulating the frequency of use of cooperative transmission

Multi-hop wireless sensor networks with a single Sink are attractive from a cost point of view. When battery-driven, these networks suffer from the energy hole problem, where the nodes near the Sink die first because they must forward the packets of all the other nodes in the network. In this paper, by developing an analytical model, we show how Cooperative Transmission (CT), when it is used to extend the communication range, can balance the energy and avoid the energy hole. Using the analytical model, we derive the optimal rates of CT forwarding and the corresponding lifetime extensions compared to the non-CT case. We verify the accuracy of our analysis and effectiveness of our forwarding protocol through network simulations.