Batch Repowering Scheme in Rechargeable Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy optimization of WSN is very important to prolong the lifetime of tiny and energy insufficient sensor nodes. Traditional LEACH-like energy saving approaches try to balance the load of every node, which prove to be very effective. Since, these approaches suppose that the sensor nodes are disposable; and when the lifetime ends, the network system will be shut down. This is not suitable for the rechargeable sensor node applications any more. To decrease the cost of replacement of rechargeable sensor nodes, a tradeoff of amount of spare sensor nodes and labor should be made deliberately. In this paper, a batch repowering scheme is proposed to solve this type of problem. The scheme is designed to balance the energy insufficient nodes and make them run out of energy at the same time, so that they can be replaced in batch. This idea is just opposite to the LEACH-like algorithms. Simulations represent that our scheme is optimal in enhance system reliability with low cost for reutilized WSN applications.