Signal Strength Analysis for Optimal Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

This paper explores methods with which to use wireless signal properties to calculate the distance between wireless sensor nodes, as well as how to use this information to estimate transmission power consumption and ultimately calculate an optimum information routing path for nodes in a wireless sensor network. A method for increasing the accuracy of wireless distance calculation using a so called "Environment Coefficient" is also introduced. Our results have demonstrated the feasibility that our location aware sensor nodes can automatically determine power efficient routing paths by detecting received signal strength.