An Energy-Efficient Cluster-Based Cooperative MIMO Scheme Using Network Coding

Wireless Sensor networks (WSNs) require energy-efficient and robust communication protocols. Cooperative MIMO transmission is one of the new solutions. In this paper, we propose an Energy-efficient Cluster-based Cooperative MIMO transmission scheme using Network Coding, termed as ECCM-NC. Network coding algorithm is applied to reduce the energy and time consumption in intra-cluster information exchange procedure. An optimization model is developed to find the optimum cooperative nodes number, clusters number and transmission rates. Simulation shows that tremendous energy saving is possible with application of network coding and judicious choice of designed protocol parameters even considering the local circuit energy cost and STBC training overhead.