Make imbalance useful: An energy-efficient charging scheme in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Energy problem is a long-lasting and fundamental problem faced by many applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, a mobile charger is employed in a WSN to recharge the sensor nodes, such that the WSN can be operational continuously. The objective is to minimize the total energy consumption of the mobile charger. In order to achieve the goal, a novel charging scheme, named COST, has been proposed. It is the first work that considers redeploying a service station to the hot spot of energy consumption of a WSN for energy saving. In addition, its charging schedule of the mobile charger not only ensures continuous liveness of a WSN, but also presents some periodicity. The major inspiration of the COST lies in the extremely imbalanced energy consumption of the sensor nodes in a WSN. Simulation results validate the energy efficiency of the COST. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.