Document Type

Article

Editor

Runhua Chen

Publication Title

Journal of Computer Networks & Communications

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2012

Publication Number

870281

Volume Number

2012

Abstract/ Summary

Energy consumption of energy-constrained nodes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is a fatal weakness of these networks. Since these nodes usually operate on batteries, the maximum utility of the network is dependent upon the optimal energy usage of these nodes. However, new emerging optimal energy consumption algorithms, protocols, and system designs require an evaluation platform. This necessitates modeling techniques that can quickly and accurately evaluate their behavior and identify strengths and weakness. We propose Petri nets as this ideal platform. We demonstrate Petri net models of wireless sensor nodes that incorporate the complex interactions between the processing and communication components of a WSN. These models include the use of both an open and closed workload generators. Experimental results and analysis show that the use of Petri nets is more accurate than the use of Markov models and programmed simulations. Furthermore, Petri net models are extremely easier to construct and test than either. This paper demonstrates that Petri net models provide an effective platform for studying emerging energy-saving strategies in WSNs.

DOI

10.1155/2012/870281

Version

post-print (i.e. final draft post-refereeing with all author corrections and edits)

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