A stochastic energy consumption model for wireless sensor networks using GBR techniques

Energy consumption is a prime concern in the design of most protocols used in wireless sensor networks(WSNs). Modelling energy consumption in the network is therefore of high importance for protocol design. Most protocols are built on the basic power consumption model of a wireless communication system. It simply uses the output power of the transmitter´s amplifier, the sensitivity level of the low noise amplifier of the receiving node; without so much focus on how the randomness of the wireless channel environment affects the energy consumption of the network. This paper presents a stochastic modelling approach of the energy consumption in a WSN. The model is stochastic because it considers the effects of the randomness of the wireless environment, the random change of modes of operation and the randomness of the time duration in each mode of operation (Active, Idle or sleep). The model uses a multi-hop Energy-Aware Gradient Based Routing(GBR) protocol. The prime focus lies on modelling in details the energy consumption of the WSN for a single hop transmission level as well as providing a theoretical total energy consumption model taking into account not only the data message but also the different overhead control messages. This energy consumption model can be used to guide design choices at the different layers including the network topology designs, node placement, energy efficient routing and power management schemes. The developed energy consumption model of the EA-GBR is then compared to the one of the generic GBR as well as the Competing GBR in [1].