Increasing sensor network lifetime by identifying and leveraging nodes with excess energy in heterogeneous networks

We propose and evaluate wireless sensor routing algorithms designed to extend the lifetime of a heterogeneous wireless sensor network. The network is heterogeneous in the sensors´ energy distribution and also in the amount of data each sensor must communicate. As a basis for comparison, we analyze the lifetime of a network using a simple, nearest-neighbor routing algorithm and an analytic solution to the optimal lifetime of networks meeting certain constraints. We compare the performance of all the routing algorithms in simulation.