Packet size optimization in WSN using LDPC codes

In Wireless Sensor Networks energy (WSN) resources are limited. Most of the energy in a WSN is consumed in communication between the sensor nodes. Packet size is one of the important parameter of the wireless communication. Larger packets have low energy consumption per bit. However larger packets are less reliable. This paper studies packet size optimization in a WSN based on energy throughput and reliability metrics and analyzes the effect of using LDPC codes on energy efficiency. Our results show that LDPC codes can give larger optimal packet size and higher energy efficiency in comparison to no error control at higher probability of bit error rate.