Lifetime optimization of sensor networks under physical attacks
Xun Wang, Wenjun Gu, Sriram Chellappan, Kurt Schosek, Dong Xuan · 2005
Abstract—In this paper, we address a Resource Constrained Lifetime Problem in sensor networks in an operating environment subject to physical node destructions. Specifically, given a limited number of sensors, our goal is to maximize the network lifetime and derive the deployment plan of the nodes to maximize the lifetime under physical node destructions. The problem of physical destructions due to hostile environmnets and small size of the sensors is a potent threat and severely constrains the practical lifetime of sensor networks. The lifetime problem we define is representative, practical and encompasses other versions of similar problems. We also define a representative physical attack model under which we study and solve the lifetime problem. Our solutions take into account both the energy minimization and node constraints. We make several observations in this realm of which an important one is the high sensitivity of lifetime to physical attacks highlighting the importance of our study. Our work has broad and immediate impacts to system designers during network deployments in hostile environments.