Improving energy efficiency by optimizing relay nodes deployment in wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we investigate the relay nodes (RNs) deployment optimization to improve the energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). First, the energy dissipation model of multi-hop relay transmission scheme with random RNs deployment under a given BER requirement is established. Then, we present the optimal RNs deployment to minimize the energy dissipation, which the position of RNs, the number of RNs and modulation sizes are optimized by two steps optimization. Numerical results show that, optimal RNs are deployed on the line between source node and destination node with the same hop distance. Meanwhile, RNs deployment with joint optimization can further reduce the energy dissipation in comparison with single parameter optimization.