Network lifetime global optimization for multi-source and single-sink topology in wireless sensor networks

The multi-source and single-sink (MSSS) topology in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is defined as a network topology, where all of nodes can gather, receive and transmit data to the sink. In energy-constrained WSNs with such a topology, the joint optimal design in the physical, medium access control (MAC) and network layers is considered for network lifetime maximization (NLM). The problem of integrating multi-layer information to compute NLM, which involves routing flow, link schedule and transmission power, is formulated as a non-linear optimization problem. Specially under time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme, this problem can be transformed into a convex optimization problem. To solve it analytically we make use of the property that local optimization is global optimization in convex problem. This allows us to exploit the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions to solve it and obtain analytical solution expression, i.e., the globally optimal network lifetime (NL). NL is derived as a function of number of nodes, their initial energy and data rate arrived at them. Based on the analysis of analytical approach, it takes the influence of data rates, link access and routing method over NLM into account. Moreover, the globally optimal transmission schemes are achieved by solution set during analytical approach and applied to algorithms in TDMA-based WSNs aiming at NLM on OMNeT++ to compare with other suboptimal schemes. Copyright.