Joint routing and multi level data compression for lifetime optimization in wireless sensor networks

In this paper we present a framework to investigate the effects of tunable data compression on sensor network lifetime. In our framework we integrate tunable data compression with flow balancing to extend the overall system lifetime beyond the lifetime achievable by flow balancing and single level mandatory data compression. Analysis of energy balancing through flow balancing in conjunction with tunable compression, mandatory compression, and no compression strategies reveal that the lifetime achievable with energy balancing with optimal tunable data compression results in significantly longer network lifetimes than the other strategies.