Threshold-Controlled Global Cascading in Wireless Sensor Networks

TL;DR

This paper studies how threshold-controlled cascades in wireless sensor networks can be optimized for faster response times and energy efficiency by modifying network topology, including adding long-range links.

Contribution

It introduces a threshold-controlled propagation model for sensor networks and demonstrates how small-world network modifications improve response speed and energy management.

Findings

Local threshold dynamics enable reliable alarm responses.

Adding long-range links accelerates network response.

Small-world networks optimize energy and speed balance.

Abstract

We investigate cascade dynamics in threshold-controlled (multiplex) propagation on random geometric networks. We find that such local dynamics can serve as an efficient, robust, and reliable prototypical activation protocol in sensor networks in responding to various alarm scenarios. We also consider the same dynamics on a modified network by adding a few long-range communication links, resulting in a small-world network. We find that such construction can further enhance and optimize the speed of the network's response, while keeping energy consumption at a manageable level.