Formal modelling and performance evaluation of a novel role-based Routing Algorithm for wireless sensor networks

NORA (Network rOle-based Routing Algorithm) is a novel routing algorithm for WSNs which combines various effective techniques in order to reduce energy consumption and improves data routes. There is a clear need for the use of formal methods to validate system performance and functionality prior to the deployment of such algorithms in a real environment. This paper presents a formal study of NORA. Coloured Petri Nets (CPNs) have been chosen as an appropriate modelling language. CPNs have been used to obtain complete and unambiguous specifications of system behaviour as well as CPNTools to evaluate the correctness of the protocol, using state space exploration, and performance evaluation.