Energy conservation in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

A wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a self-configured ad hoc network comprising nodes with built-in processing units, communication systems, and sensors. WSNs are deployed in mostly outdoor terrains and play a crucial role in monitoring such terrains through their sensing units and communication systems. Given the lack of accessibility in terrains that WSNs are deployed, these often work under extreme resource constraints with respect to energy, memory, and computational capabilities. WSN nodes mostly rely on alkaline batteries for energy and it becomes imperative that these be frugally used so as to extend their lifespan and in effect that of the WSN node.