Asynchronous failed sensor node detection method for sensor networks

摘要

Detecting failed nodes is important in a sensor network, because a failed node can cause coverage and connectivity holes. Since sensors are resource-limited devices, lack of a clocking mechanism imposes difficulties in implementing synchronous failure detection techniques. To counter this, asynchronous methods are needed for detecting failed sensor nodes. For example, in traditional distributed systems sent data packets and received acknowledgements are matched to identify any malfunctions. A similar approach can be adopted in sensor networks. An asynchronous failed sensor node detection (AFSD) method is proposed, where a numeric counter variable is used to track the received and sent data packets between active nodes. This variable acts as bounded for an active sensor node and unbounded for an out-of-communication or failed node. By observing the value of the counter, a decision can be made on a deployed sensor node. Whenever the counter value of a neighbour crosses a predefined threshold, that neighbour is suspected. However, measuring a counter value can always lead to a false positive. To avoid false suspicion, a consensus protocol is needed. Such a technique is described, which is proved as accurate and complete. The complexity analysis shows that the control, energy, and time overheads of the proposed method are linear and in the order of number of neighbours per node. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.