Evaluation of the end-to-end response times in an energy harvesting wireless sensor network using a receiver-initiated MAC protocol

Abstract

In this paper we propose an analytical model for the evaluation of the end-to-end response time in an energy-harvesting wireless sensor network where the nodes use a receiver-initiated MAC protocol. Each individual node is modeled by means of a finite capacity queue with repeated server vacations of different types. The available energy is modeled by means of an extra variable. The system occupancy in a tagged node together with the available energy are observed at inspection instants, leading to a discrete-time Markov Chain. We derive closed form formulas for the system occupancy distribution at inspection instants and at arbitrary time instants together with the mean response time in this tagged node. The model is applied for the evaluation of the end-to -end response time a packet experiences when crossing different nodes in an energy-harvesting wireless sensor network. The model allows to determine important system parameters, such as the time a node listens to the medium to receive a beacon, the frequency of the transmission of beacons.