Simulating networks of wireless sensors

Previous advances in low-power embedded processors, radios, and micro-mechanical systems (MEMs) have made possible the development of networks of wirelessly interconnected sensors. With their focus on applications requiring tight coupling with the physical world, as opposed to the personal communication focus of conventional wireless networks, these wireless sensor networks pose significantly different design, implementation, and deployment challenges. We present a set of models and techniques that are embodied in a simulation tool for modeling wireless sensor networks. Our work builds up on the infrastructure provided by the widely used ns-2 simulator, and adds a suite of new features and techniques that are specific to wireless sensor networks. These features introduce the notion of a sensing channel through which sensors detect targets, and provide detailed models for evaluating energy consumption and battery lifetime.