WSEAS Transactions on Computers
Print ISSN: 1109-2750, E-ISSN: 2224-2872
Volume 11, 2012
Pa-GFDP: An Algorithm Enhancing Reliability of WSNs
Authors: , , ,
Abstract: Connectivity of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is a minimal requirement for their functionality. However, their distributed and self-organizing nature creates the presence of critical nodes, whose failures may partition the system or create communication bottlenecks. This paper focuses on enhancing reliability of WSNs, through detecting critical nodes and protecting them. The classical centralized algorithms of detecting critical nodes, which are based on DFS, require global topological knowledge. However, there are some dynamic factors in WSNs, such as frequent joining in and departure of nodes, unexpected failure of nodes due to running out of energy, and changes in network connections, etc. Consequently, the topology of WSNs is dynamic. Therefore, centralized algorithms are impractical. This paper extends the studies on GFDP (Grouping Fault Detection Protocol) and proposes a Partitioning-avoidance GFDP (Pa-GFDP) to enhance reliability of WSNs. Pa-GFDP cost-effectively detects critical nodes in WSNs and protects them. Without global information, the accurate detection of critical nodes can be accomplished with little traffic overhead and within limited time threshold. Pa-GFDP is verified to be correct and effective through simulation and experiments.
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Keywords: Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), Reliability, Connectivity, Critical Node, Fault Detection, Pa-GFDP