Delay Incurred in Wireless Sensor Networks Using N-Policy M/M/1 Queuing Model and its Mitigation

Abstract

Technological advancements in low power integrated circuits and wireless communications have led to the feasibility of using a network of sensors to be used for the collection, processing, analysis, and distribution of important information, collected in a wide variety of environments. Sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network face the issue of scarcity of power and therefore, optimal use of available power is of prime importance. The authors study and analyze a technique that aims to reduce the consumption of power. In this technique the radio of the sensor node is switched on only when the number of packets in a queue exceeds a certain threshold; this however introduces delay in the processing of the packets. The authors analyze the performance of this system with respect to the power consumption and mean waiting time and suggest a way to mitigate the delay. The simulations performed show that the simulation results are close to the theoretical results thus indicating the validity of the technique studied.