Transmit and Receive Power Optimization for Source-Initiated Broadcast in Wireless-Relay Sensor Networks

Minimization of power consumption is a critical design goal for wireless-relay networks comprised of battery-powered sensor devices. In the paper, we consider a source-initiated (one-to-all) broadcast scenario in wirelessly-relay sensor networks (WSNs) with a high delivery probability requirement. We analyze both the transmission and the reception power to gain insights into the optimization of the overall power consumption of WSNs at network planning stage. Specifically, at the network planning stage, one wishes to maximize the network lifetime of the network through a proper selection of three key design parameters including the transmission range, the sleep period, and the broadcast probability. As a rule of thumb, the optimal number of nodes awaken to broadcast messages within a transmission range is constant with a given network size and path loss exponent for a target delivery probability requirement. Given the optimal settings above, we also present the trade-off between the delay requirement and power consumption. Our results can serve as general guidelines at the network planning stage.