Virtual Grid-Based Routing for Query-Driven Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

In the context of query-driven wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a unique scenario arises where sensor nodes are solicited by a base station, also known as a sink, based on specific areas of interest (AoIs). Upon receiving a query, designated sensor nodes are tasked with transmitting their data to the sink. However, the routing of these queries from the sink to the sensor nodes becomes intricate when the sink is mobile. The sink’s movement after issuing a query can potentially disrupt the performance of data delivery. To address these challenges, we have proposed an innovative approach called Query-driven Virtual Grid-based Routing Protocol (VGRQ), aiming to enhance energy efficiency and reduce data delivery delays. In VGRQ, we construct a grid consisting of square-shaped virtual cells, with the number of cells matching the count of sensor nodes. Each cell designates a specific node as the cell header (CH), and these CHs establish connections with each other to form a chain-like structure. This chain serves two primary purposes: sharing the mobile sink’s location information and facilitating the transmission of queries to the AoI as well as data to the sink. By employing the VGRQ approach, we seek to optimize the performance of query-driven WSNs. It enhances energy utilization and reduces data delivery delays. Additionally, VGRQ results in ≈10% and ≈27% improvement in energy consumption when compared with QRRP and QDVGDD, respectively.