Lifetime maximization with transmission power level and packet size optimization for linear wireless sensor networks

Linear Wireless Sensor Networks (LWSNs) are employed in scenarios where sensor nodes are required to be positioned over a line shaped deployment domain. Indeed, such a deployment arises reliability concerns because almost all the nodes in the network are critical nodes for the survivability of the LWSNs. It is possible that the network survives even after the incapacitation of a set of sensor nodes, however, such an occurrence can lead to significant decreases in Network Lifetime (NL). In this study, we explore the reliability of LWSNs through an optimization framework which is built upon a detailed system model. Our framework encompasses three transmission power and data packet size assignment strategies. Furthermore, to provide a multi-faceted assessment we utilize two cascaded node failure models (i.e., random and coordinated node failure models). Our results reveal that depending on the application/deployment scenario parameters, failure models, and optimization strategies reduction of NL can be kept at negligible levels even if 10% of sensor nodes are incapacitated. However, it also possible that under certain setting incapacitation of a single node can results in significant reductions in NL.