A new protocol for a low power sensor network

Abstract

This paper proposes a simple protocol for low-power sensor networks with battery-operated sensing devices. The sensors are expected to become active only when certain events in the environment occur. Therefore, a scheme for the application and medium access cycles is developed which avoids common problems of energy loss due to idle actions. Subsequently, the protocol is evaluated according to sensor lifetime. In contrast to common performance analysis, the approach considers the application behavior as a main impact on the sensor lifetime. Capabilities to save energy are derived.