Latency and Residual Energy Analysis of MIMO Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Energy-constrained Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have garnered significant research interest in recent years. Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), or Cooperative MIMO, represents a specialized application of MIMO technology within WSNs. This approach operates effectively, especially in challenging and resource-constrained environments. By facilitating collaboration among sensor nodes, Cooperative MIMO enhances reliability, coverage, and energy efficiency in WSN deployments. Consequently, MIMO finds application in diverse WSN scenarios, spanning environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and healthcare applications. This research paper presents a comparative performance analysis of MIMO wireless sensor networks and traditional wireless sensor networks without MIMO using Network Simulator NS2.35 for analysis of End to End Delay for packet transmission and Residual energy of nodes. The research work shows application of MIMO in Wireless Sensor Networks with considerable improvements in Quality of Service parameters which is achieved through Spatial Multiplexing and Diversity Gain. MIMO enables multiple spatial streams, allowing several data streams to be transmitted simultaneously on the same channel. This increases the overall throughput as multiple sensors can transmit their data concurrently without interference. MIMO systems also provide diversity gain by transmitting multiple copies of the same data over different antennas which helps in mitigating the effects of fading and interference, resulting in a more reliable and higher-throughput communication link as compared to a SISO channel. Another advantage of employing MIMO in WSN is reduction in End-to-End delays in data transmission. Last but not the least, MIMO can be configured to optimize the power consumption of individual sensors by adjusting the number of antennas used and transmission power levels based on channel conditions. Hence, MIMO can help to extend the network's lifetime by conserving energy in resource-constrained sensor nodes by preservation of Residual Energy.