Multipath Routing Network Management Protocol for Resilient and Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract This paper proposes an optimization model for network management in multihop Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Here, we develop a distributed, braided multipath algorithm to deliver the information from the information sources (targets) to the Base stations (sinks) giving the network the ability to adapt to changes or failures. The Base Stations are robust nodes with capabilities for positioning themselves and communicating outside the network, which grants them the benefit of knowing other Base Stations’ position in the area of interest. Targets are nodes that generate information and need a fixed amount of bandwidth to convey this information to a Base Station. Every element in the network is static. This paper shows the mathematical optimization model for the network's energy minimization and resilience maximization. To increase network's resilience, the devices within the network will try to create multiple paths from the beginning trying to reach at least one Base Station. The model is solved through a heuristic algorithm based on the nearest neighbor and minimum hop concepts and it is implemented in Java. Results show that the proposed algorithm finds multiple braided paths for most of the instances proposed and some backup nodes for nodes in the paths that can help the network to extend its lifetime operation and adapt to failures.