Determining design parameters for ad hoc wireless sensor networks

This paper considers the design of wireless sensor networks in which a set of smart battery-powered sensor nodes cooperatively form an ad hoc communications network for monitoring and control applications. The paper examines ways of extending the life of such networks by introducing a ´sleep mode´ in the sensor node. Quantitative analysis is used to show that although there is a complex relationship between ´sleeping´ and energy conservation, it is possible to make significant energy savings while incurring only modest degradation in performance. An optimum energy saving curve is derived which provides a basis for the design of extended-life ad hoc wireless sensor networks.