Power-Aware Scheduling Algorithms for Wireless Networks

A general constraint within wireless network environments is the short lifetime of mobile terminal batteries. Energy efficient wireless communication protocols that adapt to terminal battery power levels may be used to lessen the effects of this limitation. This paper addresses the problem of adaptive energy efficient algorithms within medium access control (MAC) protocols for wireless networks. A set of scheduling algorithm that dynamically schedule the transmission channel to mobiles based on both traffic requests and battery power levels of mobiles is proposed and studied in this paper. Depending upon network environment, the priority needs of low and high power mobiles may vary. Therefore, a function based on cost/benefit analysis is developed for evaluating algorithm performance for specified system needs. Various system environments are modeled through discrete-event simulation, demonstrating that the proposed power-aware scheduling techniques provide low-power mobiles with lower packet dropping probabilities through decreased latency and more efficient use of the mobile radio. Also through simulation, it is shown that the power-aware scheduling algorithms conserve greater amounts of energy. Corresponding Author: Dr. Krishna Sivalingam, email: [email protected]. Part of the research was supported by Air Force Office of Scientific Research grants F-49620-97-1-0471 and F-49620-99-1-0125, Intel and Telcordia Technologies.