Enhancing Sensor Node Lifespan in WSNs through Traffic-Adaptive Duty Cycle MAC (TDC-MAC) Protocol

Abstract

Extending the lifespan of sensor nodes remains a formidable challenge within the realm of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). WSNs have seen a multitude of comprehensive research endeavors dedicated to the creation of energy-efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols. In the collaborative landscape of WSNs, sensor nodes operate collectively to achieve a shared objective, drawing power from onboard battery cells. The utilization of duty cycles emerges as a pivotal mechanism in curtailing superfluous energy consumption among sensor nodes. Within this context, our paper introduces the Traffic-Adaptive Duty Cycle MAC (TDC-MAC) protocol, with a central focus on achieving reduced energy consumption while maintaining acceptable levels of packet loss and latency. The TDC-MAC protocol strives to prolong the sleep interval during periods of minimal data traffic, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption when contrasted with D2CMAC, SMAC, and tunable MAC protocols. Simulation results underscore the efficacy of TDC-MAC, showcasing a remarkable reduction in battery power consumption of up to 55% when compared to other similar protocols.