Layout Optimization for Greenhouse WSN Based on Path Loss Analysis

When wireless sensor networks (WSN) are deployed in the vegetable greenhouse with dynamic connectivity and interference environment, it is necessary to increase the node transmit power to ensure the communication quality, which leads to serious network interference. To offset the negative impact, the transmit power of other nodes must also be increased. The result is that the network becomes worse and worse, and node energy is wasted a lot. Taking into account the irregular connection range in the cucumber greenhouse WSN, we measured the transmission characteristics of wireless signals under the 2.4 Ghz operating frequency. For improving network layout in the greenhouse, a semi-empirical prediction model of signal loss is then studied based on the measured data. Compared with other models, the average relative error of this semi-empirical signal loss model is only 2.3%. Finally, by combining the improved network topology algorithm and tabu search, this paper studies a greenhouse WSN layout that can reduce path loss, save energy, and ensure communication quality. Given the limitation of node-degree constraint in traditional network layout algorithms, the improved algorithm applies the forwarding constraint to balance network energy consumption and constructs asymmetric network communication links. Experimental results show that this research can realize the energy consumption optimization of WSN layout in the greenhouse.