Rate-constrained data aggregation in power-limited multi-sink wireless sensor networks

We propose a cross-layer data-aggregation approach that maximizes the lifetime of wireless sensor networks with multiple sinks while ensuring the feasibility of the routing solution. The proposed approach accounts for the coupling effects between MAC- and network-layers to ensure the physical feasibility of the obtained solutions, and maximizes the network lifetime by avoiding nodes with critical energy resources. Using simulations, we demonstrate the impact of not including medium access contention constraints in the routing formulation on the physical feasibility of the routing solution. We also study the impact of several network parameters on the network lifetime.