Energy conservative Wireless Sensor Networks for black pepper monitoring in tropical area

One of the main challenges in design of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is to reduce energy consumption of sensor nodes to prolong lifetime of finite-capacity batteries. In this paper, we design an energy-efficient solution for monitoring the black pepper cultivation in tropical area. Initially, we optimize the base station antenna height in order to facilitate reliable communication. Then Energy-efficient Sensor Protocol for Information via Negotiation (ESPIN) routing protocol is proposed to solve the challenge of energy saving and packet loss. We have conducted radio propagation experiments in actual black pepper fields. The actual test results indicate that the ESPIN protocol reduces redundant data transmission, improves the network lifetime and success rate of data transmission compared with traditional Sensor Protocol for Information via Negotiation (SPIN) protocol.