Model for Virtual Physical Layer Communication over Deployed Wireless Sensor Networks

A method for file transfer utilizing forward error correction (FEC) to pass traffic over deployed wireless sensor networks is studied. The entire wireless sensor network is modeled as an error-prone virtual physical link. Previous work in the area of terminal communication across the sensor network is expanded upon to include file transfer in order to provide a more capable channel and a basis for testing the performance obtained through erasure coding. The results of the FEC implementation are examined using multiple sensor network configurations. While the error correction method proved effective, larger topologies presented congestion issues due to the sensors’ use of CSMA. Recommendations for future improvements are proposed. Keywords-wireless sensor networks; forward error correction; erasure codes; block codes.