Comparative Analysis Of Network Protocols For Wireless Sensor Networks

This dissertation proposes a methodology for performance evaluation and comparison of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) protocols. The methodology is simulation based and it examines the protocols lifetime, scalability, fault tolerance, and the affect of multiple sinks. Both the evaluation and the comparison consider the network lifetime (both the number of rounds before the death of the first node and the number of rounds before the death of the last node), the energy dissipation rate, and the nodes death rate. The methodology is conducted on LEACH, TEEN, APTEEN, and REE-LEACH protocols. The proposed methodology provides a better understanding of the protocols behavior. This study emphasizes on some information that helps WSN designers to take decisions. Beside which protocol lives longer, the designers should consider other details about these protocols. Such as, the death rate and energy dissipation rate should be considered for redeployment decision. Furthermore, the designers should consider the affect of enlarging the network not only on the rounds for first or last death, but also they should consider the affect on the ratio between the first and last deaths rounds. Moreover, there are other findings that help the WSN users and designers to take adopting a protocol decisions. Furthermore, the analysis conducted in this research proves and supports some of the main attributes of the protocols that are claimed in the literature. Such as, the equality of percentage between the failing nodes and the lost energy by failure, and the affect of multi-sink on the death rates prove that the protocols have a good level of load balancing. Furthermore, the changes in the death rate and energy dissipation rate mean a good level of fault tolerance. In general, the proposed methodology provides better understanding of the protocols. Furthermore, it provides abundant amount of information to determine protocol suitability for different WSN applications. Moreover, this extended analysis reveals drawbacks that should be considered in future works.