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Improving Sensor Network Performance with Directional Antennas: A Cross-layer Optimization

Published: 10 August 2021 Publication History

Abstract

The use of directional antennas for wireless communications brings several benefits, such as increased communication range and reduced interference. One example of directional antennas are electronically switched directional (ESD) antennas that can easily be integrated into Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) due to their small size and low cost. However, current literature questions the benefits of using ESD antennas in WSNs due to the increased likelihood of hidden terminals and increased power consumption. This is mainly because earlier studies have used directionality for transmissions but not for reception.
In this article, we introduce novel cross-layer optimizations to fully utilize the benefits of using directional antennas. We modify the Medium Access Control (MAC), routing, and neighbor discovery mechanisms to support directional communication. We focus on convergecast investigating a large number of different network topologies. Our experimental results, both in simulation and with real nodes, show when the traffic is dense, networks with directional antennas can significantly outperform networks with omnidirectional ones in terms of packet delivery rate, energy consumption, and energy per received packet.

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  • (2023)Energy-Efficient Long-Range Sectored Antenna for Directional Sensor Network ApplicationsIETE Journal of Research10.1080/03772063.2023.2233485(1-11)Online publication date: 11-Jul-2023

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  1. Improving Sensor Network Performance with Directional Antennas: A Cross-layer Optimization

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      cover image ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks
      ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks  Volume 17, Issue 4
      November 2021
      403 pages
      ISSN:1550-4859
      EISSN:1550-4867
      DOI:10.1145/3472298
      Issue’s Table of Contents
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      Publication History

      Published: 10 August 2021
      Accepted: 01 May 2021
      Revised: 01 April 2021
      Received: 01 March 2020
      Published in TOSN Volume 17, Issue 4

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      Author Tags

      1. Wireless sensor networks
      2. wireless communication
      3. protocols
      4. directive antennas
      5. convergecast

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      • (2023)Energy-Efficient Long-Range Sectored Antenna for Directional Sensor Network ApplicationsIETE Journal of Research10.1080/03772063.2023.2233485(1-11)Online publication date: 11-Jul-2023

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