Performance analysis of data retrieval in wireless sensor networks

The mere formulation of a problem is far more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skills. To raise new questions , new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science. Acknowledgments There were four years of research, it was an amazing journey and I would like to thank several people who, in various ways, played an important role in the realization of this PhD thesis. Firstly, I would like to thank my promoter Richard J. Boucherie and my co-promoters Maurits de Graaf and Jasper Goseling for their guidance and constant support during my PhD. Richard, thank you for steering my research in the right direction and keeping me focused throughout my PhD. Maurits, I am deeply grateful for all the time we spent discussing about my research, your patience and positive attitude. Jasper, I always greatly appreciated your valuable technical input, your keen eye for clarity and elegance in scientific writings, and, most importantly, your constant belief in me. I am very grateful for all your support. This thesis would have been quite different without the help and support of Nico van Dijk and Jan-Kees van Ommeren. Mr. van Dijk, from being my master coordinator to writing together scientific papers during my PhD, you have always guided my steps, encouraged me and firmly reassured me that scientific value always prevails. Jan-Kees, thank you for keeping your office door open for my 'small' questions. Thank you for taking the time to discuss about my research ideas, I always valued your technical input. Mr. van Dijk, Jan-Kees, it was a pleasure to learn from you and work with you. A special thank you to Nelly Litvak. Nelly, I am very grateful for encouraging me to look at problems from a new perspective when stuck in a proof, to try out new techniques and, most importantly, to keep confident about the outcome. I also value our life-related discussions, which I think will serve me well in the future. I would also like to express my gratitude to all my colleagues at the Stochastic you for all the enjoyable time during coffee breaks, seminars or conferences. In particular, I would like to thank my officemates Yanting, Pim, Anna and Tom for the pleasant company. Yanting, Pim, thank you for your support and for constantly reminding me …