Cluster-based comb-needle model for energy-efficient data aggregation in wireless sensor networks

This paper deals with information discovery and aggregation in large scale wireless sensor networks applied for mission-critical applications like military reconnaissance. To support query processing based on the gathered information, an efficient and reliable information discovery mechanism is proposed for sensor networks. We extend the basic Comb-Needle Discovery Support Model [3] by including Cluster-based data aggregation mechanism, which helps minimize the communication cost. Cluster-based approach groups the sensor nodes in the sensor network. Each node of a group will send information to its Cluster Head, which then aggregates and forwards the information to the base station (Sink). We compare the performance of proposed Cluster-based Comb-Needle Model with the basic Comb-Needle Model using the parameters, namely, energy consumption and communication cost. The experimental results through Avrora Simulator on TinyOS Platform reveal that Cluster-based Comb-Needle Model for Data Aggregation helps a sensor network in conserving its energy, and thereby extending its life time.