Consensus-based Data Aggregation for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

The paper addresses the application of consensus-based methods for agreement within networks of embedded computing and communication devices. A thorough literature review is carried out from both theoretical and practical perspectives while proposing a consensus aggregation mechanism for effective information processing in wireless sensor networks. The aim is to reduce the communication and energy burden at the cluster level, while improving the quality of the aggregated information. Building on an extensive theoretical background, a practical approach is favored in order to realistically model the impact of the consensus algorithms on the sensing entities, using well-adopted tools. Extensions are considered towards including sensor node mobility and large scale monitoring supported by cooperative UAV swarms. Simulation results are discussed from a comparative standpoint.