A topology inference algorithm for wireless sensor networks

The use of network tomography has been proposed as a means to infer network topology in wireline networks. In what regards wireless sensor networks, the methods suggested for topology discovery make explicit use of neighborhood information sent by internal network nodes. We propose an algorithm for inferring the tree topology of a wireless sensor network based on loss measurements collected at the sink of the network. The proposed method does not rely on the active cooperation of internal network nodes, but is capable of inferring the sought topology, only through the received sensor readings (passive method), without undertaking energy-intensive tasks within the network.