Routing protocols to maximize battery efficiency

In this paper we propose a routing protocol for wireless ad hoc networks whose nodes are largely battery powered. The battery capacity of the nodes is viewed as a common resource of the system and its use is to be optimized. Results from a previous study on battery management have shown that: (1) pulsed current discharge outperforms constant current discharge (2) battery capacity can be improved by using a bursty discharge pattern due to charge recovery effects that take place during idle periods, (3) given a certain value of current drawn from the battery, higher current impulses degrade battery performance, even if the percentage of higher current impulses is relatively small. We develop a network protocol based on these findings. This protocol favors routes whose links have a low energy cost. We also distribute multihop traffic in a manner that allows all nodes a good chance to recover their battery energy reserve.