A decentralized lifetime maximization algorithm for distributed applications in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider the scenario of a Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) where the nodes are equipped with a programmable middleware that allows for quickly deploying different applications running on top of it so as to follow the changing ambient needs. We then address the problem of finding the optimal deployment of the target applications in terms of network lifetime. We approach the problem considering every possible decomposition of an application´s sensing and computing operations into tasks to be assigned to each infrastructure component. The contribution of energy consumption due to the energy cost of each task is then considered into local cost functions in each node, allowing us to evaluate the viability of the deployment solution. The proposed algorithm is based on an iterative and asynchronous local optimization of the task allocations between neighboring nodes that increases the network lifetime. Simulation results show that our framework leads to considerable energy saving with respect to both sink-oriented and cluster-oriented deployment approaches, particularly for networks with high node densities and non-uniform energy consumption or initial battery charge.