Abstract:

In linear wireless sensor networks (WSNs), when the available energy of a sensor node reduces to below a threshold level, the node will lose its function. The sensor energy consumed can be divided into energy of sensing event, energy of transmitting packets, and energy of receiving packets. In this paper, the node residual energy of a data flow in linear WSNs from source nodes and relay nodes is first evaluated. Four node states are identified based on status of the data packets transmitting. From the viewpoint of reliability theory, a data-flow model is then analyzed to compute state probabilities of source node and relay node in a particular time period. Study results illustrate how the sensor energy affects the node reliability and state probabilities in general, providing guidance for improving the design and operation of WSNs.