Transmission power assignment in network-coding-based-multicast-wireless-sensor networks

The advantages of both transmission-power assignment and network-coding-based multicast in wireless sensor networks, in reducing the complexity (medium access control and routing), saving energy, and prolonging network lifetime, are well known. To improve the network efficiency, this paper proposes a Memetic ant colony algorithm that combines the transmission power assignment with the network-coding-based-multicast routing. The proposed algorithm stores the solution in a memory and maintains diversity among the population list to accelerate finding the solutions in the dynamic networks. In the proposed algorithm, energy consumption for receiving, the irregular shape of transmission domain, the discrete transmitting power levels of sensors, and dynamical changes in the network features are of concern. The results of the assessments run through simulations indicate that the proposed algorithm could obtain the optimal or near-optimal satisfactory transmission power levels and multicast routes. In addition, the runtime of proposed algorithm is reduced greatly compared to existing methods.