A Low-Cost Wireless Sensor Network to Soil Data Acquisition Using A-Star Algorithm

Currently, the latest research on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) focuses on several types of applications, given the progress in microelectronics and telecommunication. One of the most studied topics is energy efficiency, in which different approaches are evaluated to deal with energy consumption and extend network lifetime. Many algorithms can be used to deal with these problems, ranging from simple algorithms to complex machine-learning techniques. However, implementing these algorithms is not an often-explored topic, although essential, because hardware can have particularities that decrease performance compared to simulated situations. Therefore, this paper proposes an efficient routing protocol based on an A-star algorithm to improve the lifetime of a WSN. We simulate, implement, and embed into a prototype using ESP-32 to build a real WSN. The aim is to show how the proposed algorithm can improve network lifetime. In the experiments, it was possible to compare the proposed algorithm with LEACH, PEGASIS and others algorithms. The proposed algorithm is also embedded in a low-cost wireless sensor network based on ESP-32 to check if it is possible and whether the use of the proposed algorithm improves the network lifetime.