ECE PhD Proposal Review: Abhimanyu Venkatraman Sheshashayee

PhD Proposal Review: Wake-up Radio-enabled Wireless Networking: Measurements and Evaluation of Data Collection Techniques in Static and Mobile Scenarios

Abhimanyu Venkatraman Sheshashayee

Location: 432 ISEC

Abstract: Multi-hop Wireless Networks such as Wireless Sensor Networks and similar networks that enable most applications of the Internet of Things, are comprised of wirelessly communicating nodes that are powered by batteries. In many relevant scenarios, it is inconvenient or impossible to replenish or replace the batteries of these nodes, which limits the operational lifespan of the network. One of the most significant sources of power consumption comes from idle listening on the node’s main radio. This can be ameliorated by Wake-up Radio (WuR) technology: Nodes keep their main radio off while listening for a signal via an ultra-low-power auxiliary radio used only for wake-up purposes. When the appropriate signal is received, the node turns its main radio on, conducts the necessary exchange of packets, and then turns off its main radio. This strategy allows for a considerable reduction in power consumption.
This dissertation studies data collection approaches that leverage WuR technology to maximize the lifespan of multi-hop networks for data gathering via routing and via a Mobile Data Collector (MDC). We analyze contemporary WuR technology, isolating the main criticalities of the state-of-the-art, including range and data rates. We use a prototype with highly desirable characteristics to conduct experiments to measure its effective communication range, in both static and mobile scenarios. We then examine the application of WuR technology to data collection scenarios based on multi-hop routing. We devise new techniques and evaluate the effects of different WuR characteristics on the performance of routing, considering for the first time what the network performance could be if we could overcome the limitation of current WuRs.
The remainder of the dissertation will focus on mobile data collection protocols and approaches. We are conducting a comprehensive survey of mobile data collection protocols. We plan to execute exhaustive simulation-based experiments with selected protocols applied to various scenarios. We will evaluate the performance of those protocols and determine how their features influence their performance. We will use the information gleaned from our investigations to develop a novel mobile data collection protocol that effectively utilizes WuR technology to maximize network lifespan. The effectiveness of our protocol will be evaluated using both simulations and physical experiments, sporting an ad hoc testbed of WuR-enabled nodes and a quad-rotor drone for the MDC.