An Energy Efficient Adaptive Neighbor Detect Protocol for WSNs

Wireless sensor networks lack some basic abilities taken for granted in wired networks, such as the ability to know adjacent nodes. Neighbor protocols are designed to exchange node information for determining which nodes are alive and reachable. This paper introduces the energy efficient adaptive neighbor detect protocol (EEAND), which automatically finds the balance point between energy cost and network connectivity. Towards traditional neighbor detect protocol, EEAND protocol only sends broadcast information when necessary to main topology. According to the SNR of the packets received from neighbor nodes, each node maintains its neighbor table. Simulation studies show that EEAND maintain similar delivery rates while using fewer control packets across a wide range of network characteristics.