Dimensioning of linear and hierarchical wireless sensor networks for infrastructure monitoring with enhanced reliability

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks have extensively been utilized for ambient data collection from simple linear structures to dense tiered deployments. Issues related to optimal resource allocation still persist for simplistic deployments including linear and hierarchical networks. In this work, we investigate the case of dimensioning parameters for linear and tiered wireless sensor network deployments with notion of providing extended lifetime and reliable data delivery over extensive infrastructures. We provide a single consolidated reference for selection of intrinsic sensor network parameters like number of required nodes for deployment over specified area, network operational lifetime, data aggregation requirements, energy dissipation concerns and communication channel related signal reliability. The dimensioning parameters have been analyzed in a pipeline monitoring scenario using ZigBee communication platform and subsequently referred with analytical models to ensure the dimensioning process is reflected in real world deployment with minimum resource consumption and best network connectivity. Concerns over data aggregation and routing delay minimization have been discussed with possible solutions. Finally, we propose a node placement strategy based on a dynamic programming model for achieving reliable received signals and consistent application in structural health monitoring with multi hop and long distance connectivity.