A path generation algorithm for mobile sinks in wireless sensor networks

With the energy constraints present in wireless sensor networks, it is essential to find energy-efficient approaches that would result in enhanced network lifetime. One approach is to exploit the sink mobility, by moving it randomly or through a predefined path, to the vicinity of the sensor nodes. By doing so, the communication distance will be reduced, leading to a reduction in the consumed transmission energy. In this paper, a path generation algorithm based on the Principal Component Analysis is presented. The main goal is to find a fixed path for a single mobile sink with the minimum average distance to the sensor nodes. Simulation results indicate that this approach leads to extended network lifetime and results in an increased average energy per live node.