Optimal Transmission Power Level Sets for Lifetime Maximization in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) data transmission by using the highest available power level leads to energy wastage on certain links. Therefore, assigning the optimal transmission power for each link in a WSN is necessary to prolong the network lifetime. Transceivers of WSN nodes perform transmission power control by selecting one of the available discrete transmission power levels. As such, the power level set of a WSN transceiver is an important tool for achieving energy efficiency, yet, the power level sets are determined without considering their effects on WSN lifetime. In this study, we investigate the characteristics of the optimal transmission power level sets from WSN lifetime maximization perspective.