Research On Time Synchronization Algorithm For Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a special type of Ad-hoc networks. It usually consists of a large number of tiny low-power sensor nodes. The communications between the sensor nodes rely on mutual collaboration in wireless multi-hop manner, and therefore the network is self-organized and self-managed without any infrastructure. Because of the special type of networking, wireless sensor network has been widely used in target tracing, monitoring of critical infrastructures and scientific exploration in dangerous environments and etc. As a new research field, it attracts academia and industries great interest. WSN is known as one of the most promising technologies in the 21st century.Time synchronization is a fundamental service for both design and application of wireless sensor networks. However, the complexity, energy, cost and size conflicts between traditional algorithm such as NTP and GPS and WSN prohibit their use in WSN .Because of the cost, power and size constraints of the individual nodes, there are many challenges.This thesis first introduces the basic elements, network structure and characteristic of the wireless sensor network, then deeply studies some representative time synchronization algorithms, finally, evaluates and compares their advantages and disadvantages. Based on studying time synchronization algorithm TPSN, in order to reduce energy communication ITPSN(improved time synchronization algorithm) is proposed. By using NS-2 emulator, comparing the simulation results we can see the improved algorithm meets the demands of synchronization precision and also can save energy communication, which makes it a economical synchronization algorithm.