Cross layer scheduling scheme for dense wireless sensor networks

The classical sleep/wake up scheduling at application layer is believed to be one of the best power saving scheme for dense wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The scheme reduces redundant transmissions and as a result prolong WSNs life time. In this paper we evaluate the effect of density on inter cluster and intra cluster communication and propose a hybrid cross layer scheduling schemes. In the conventional scheduling schemes at the application layer, a nodes whose sensing area is covered by its neighbours goes to a sleep state. Whereas the proposed algorithm suggests that instead of putting the redundant nodes to sleep if they are used for some energy intensive task for example as a relay station for inter cluster communication. This will be more energy efficient than the conventional sleep/wakeup scheduling for WSNs. Performance studies indicate that the proposed communication strategy is more energy efficient than the conventional communication strategies which employ the sleep/wake up pattern at application layer.