Modeling flow inter-arrival time in wireless sensor network

Flow modeling of wireless sensor network (WSN) is a new field of network flow analysis, and most of research on flow modeling of WSN is based on the Poisson theory currently. However, WSN shows self-similarity as a part of information networks. In this paper we analyze and verify the flow inter-arrival time (IAT)´s self-similarity in the periodic mode of WSN. Then a cumulative TAR (1) model is proposed. Moreover, the distribution and self-similarity of original data and simulation data are compared. The results illustrate that the simulation data generated by the cumulative TAR (1) model reflect the flow characteristics of WSN working in periodic mode effectively, and the model can provide simulation data and theoretical foundation for the research on typical WSN´s performance.