EMPC: Energy-Minimization Path Construction for data collection and wireless charging in WRSN

Abstract Sensing data collection and energy supplement are key issues of Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Network (WRSN). Using mobile vehicles to collect data and supplement energy can not only effectively reduce the node communication energy consumption, but also ensure the continuity of network operation. We propose an energy-minimization path construction algorithm based on dual-function vehicles for data collection and wireless charging in order to minimize the network energy consumption. The algorithm consists of three phases: adaptive network partition, anchor selection, and dual-function vehicle path construction. A partitioning algorithm based on a minimum spanning tree is proposed to divide the network into several regions in the adaptive network partition phase. Anchor selection phase is used to obtain data collection points in each region. The path construction phase is designed to construct a vehicle mobile path with anchors and charging nodes. Finally, experiments show that the algorithm can not only effectively reduce network energy consumption, but also prolong network lifetime and increase collected data amount.