Investigating a Wireless Sensor Network Optimal Lifetime Solution for Linear Topologies

We investigate a known optimal lifetime solution for a linear wireless sensor network through simulation, and propose alternative solutions where a known optimal solution does not exist. The network is heterogeneous in the sensors' energy distribution and also in the amount of data each sensor must communicate. As a basis for comparison, we analyze the lifetime of a network using a simple, nearest-neighbor routing algorithm, and an analytic solution to the optimal lifetime of networks meeting certain constraints. Alternative solutions considered range from those requiring global knowledge of the network to solutions using only next-neighbor knowledge. We compare the performance of all the routing algorithms in simulation.