Method and apparatus for optimizing convergecast operations in a wireless sensor network

摘要

A system that optimizes packet transmissions during a convergecast operation in a convergecast network. During operation, the system receives a request to perform the convergecast operation in the convergecast network. In response to the request, the system constructs a convergecast-tree, which includes the base-station and the plurality of nodes, based on hop counts from the plurality of nodes to the base-station. Next, the system linearizes the convergecast-tree so that the convergecast-tree contains a plurality of linear branches. The system then schedules packet transmission for each of the linear branches and each node in each branch based on a set of predetermined criteria to obtain a scheduled order. Finally, the system performs packet transmissions in the convergecast-tree using the scheduled order. Note that performing the convergecast operation in this way substantially optimizes the convergecast operation by reducing a total number of timeslots required to complete the convergecast operation.