Index-based dynamic energy management in a multimode sensor network

This paper considers a model for the optimal dynamic energy management in a wireless sensor network (WSN) with M homogeneous sensors tracking N ≥ M heterogeneous targets. The WSN feeds on a limited, shared energy pool provided by an energy-harvesting station. Sensors can be operated in multiple modes, subject to a peak global energy consumption constraint. An approach is developed to construct a tractable heuristic scheduling policy based on marginal productivity indices (MPIs) defined separately for each target. Sufficient conditions are given which ensure both the existence of such an index and point towards an approach for its evaluation.