NeuRon/spl trade/ netform: a self-organizing wireless sensor network

Abstract

This paper introduces the neuRFon/spl trade/ Netform, a self-organizing wireless network for low data rate, low-power fixed sensor nodes. The protocol utilizes a logical backbone architecture through which data communications between all the network nodes are supported by hierarchical routing. We present algorithms that underpin the self-organizing features. The first algorithm constructs the optimal backbone as new nodes are introduced. The second algorithm dictates how the nodes exchange essential information for maintaining the optimal routing backbone as the network evolves. The third algorithm enables the network to recover automatically from node/link failures. The neuRFon/spl trade/ Netform is designed to work in conjunction with a low duty cycle MAC protocol, described in this paper, in order to support long battery life for wireless sensors. To illustrate the performance of the neuRFon/spl trade/ system, we present simulation results showing network formation time, data packet delivery response time, and communication duty cycles of sensor nodes for a neuRFon/sup TM/ system with 64 nodes.