Load balanced forwarding in multimedia wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Congestion is a challenging problem in wireless sensor networks which exacerbates with the high volume of data traffic imposed by video applications that are enabled by the evolution of low-cost camera hardware. In this thesis, we propose three cross layer geographic routing schemes addressing the congestion problem in wireless video sensor networks. In Load Balanced Reliable Forwarding scheme, we introduced the notion of local load balancing where a sensor dynamically determines the next hop among the alternative neighbors providing positive advancement towards the sink by considering the balance of their buffer occupancy levels at the time of delivery. In Directional Load Balanced Spreading scheme, we combine local and direction-based (spatial) load balancing approaches to provide more reliable and faster video delivery by benefiting from the advantages of both approaches. In Multi-Sink Load Balanced Reliable Forwarding scheme, we explored the advantages of load distribution to multiple sinks. We evaluated the performance of the routing schemes via simulations in OPNET. The results show that the proposed routing schemes improve the frame delivery ratio and provide efficient video delivery in terms of energy expenditure per successfully delivered frame to the sink(s).