A Path-Based Approach for Data Aggregation in Grid-Based Wireless Sensor Networks

Sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network （WSN） are typically powered by batteries, thus the energy is constrained. It is our design goal to efficiently utilize the energy of each sensor node to extend its lifetime, so as to prolong the lifetime of the whole WSN. In this paper, we propose a path-based data aggregation scheme （PBDAS） for grid-based wireless sensor networks. In order to extend the lifetime of a WSN, we construct a grid infrastructure by partitioning the whole sensor field into a grid of cells. Each cell has a head responsible for aggregating its own data with the data sensed by the others in the same cell and then transmitting out. In order to efficiently and rapidly transmit the data to the base station （BS）, we link each cell head to form a chain. Each cell head on the chain takes turn becoming the chain leader responsible for transmitting data to the BS. Aggregated data moves from head to head along the chain, and finally the chain leader transmits to the BS. In PBDAS, only the cell heads need to transmit data toward the BS. Therefore, the data transmissions to the BS substantially decrease. Besides, the cell heads and chain leader are designated in turn according to the energy level so that the energy depletion of nodes is evenly distributed. Simulation results show that the proposed PBDAS extends the lifetime of sensor nodes, so as to make the lifetime of the whole network longer.