Sensor network pair-wise wireless communications performance with unsteady node orientation

Abstract

A model is proposed to describe expected communications performance between two sensor network nodes where both are unsteady in physical orientation with respect to a specified reference. Model application enables determination of transmit power in terms of a preferred link performance probability. Increasing applications of wireless sensor networks has proportionally increased fielding ideas and platforms. The stability of a platform for a sensor network node cannot always be assumed stable due to physical variation from motion or surface conditions. This creates a time-varying random orientation between nodes in communication with an adjacent partner. A stochastic model is proposed connecting the physical random orientation of a pair of elements to their transmission components. The resulting performance of a link using the proposed model is then applied to achieve reliable communications performance. Analysis demonstrates improved use of network power compared to a method which assigns a blanket power margin across the network.