WSN with energy-harvesting: modeling and simulation based on a practical architecture using real radiation levels

Abstract

This paper presents a new energy-harvesting provider for ns-3 simulation tool. The provider model assumes solar energy harvesting and super-capacitor storage to supply power to a Wireless Sensor Node. Super-capacitors charge and discharge is dynamically estimated based on both power consumption in the node and solar radiation levels. On one hand, super-capacitors voltage level is refreshed within each radio mode change. However, because a radio mode can be longer than few milliseconds, refreshments are also time schedule. On the other hand, solar radiation data in CSV format (comma-separated values) can be downloaded from public meteorological data bases. The model incorporates these input data being possible to simulate from one minute to weeks or months using real radiation curves observed in a specific world location at a year period. The research presented in this paper will be very useful for the study and development of energy-efficient algorithms with energy-neutral operation to build everlasting Wireless Sensor Networks.