The Alive-in-Range Medium Access Control Protocol to Optimize Queue Performance in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Time synchronization between sensor nodes to reduce the end-to-end delay for critical and real time data monitoring can be achieved by cautiously monitoring the mobility of the mobile sink node in underwater wireless sensor networks. The Alive-in-Range Medium Access Control (ARMAC) protocol monitors the delay of sensitive, critical and real-time data. The idea evolves as it involves reduction in duty cycle, precise time scheduling of active/sleep cycles of the sensors, monitoring the mobility of the sink node with the selection of appropriate queues and schedulers. The model for the path loss due to attenuation of electromagnetic wave propagation in the sea water is explained. The three-path reflection model evaluating reflection loss from the air-water and watersand interfaces as a function of distance between sensors and water depth is introduced. The algorithms for effective path determination and optimum throughput path determination are elaborated. The results verify that implementation of the Alive-in-Range MAC protocol has reduced the total number of packets dropped, the average queue length, the longest time in queue, the peak queue length and the average time in queue significantly, making it relevant for critical and real-time data monitoring.