Modeling and Evaluation of a Power-Aware Algorithm for IoT Bluetooth Low Energy Devices

Power consumption is one of the main concerns in developing IoT Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) due to the limited amount of energy and the difficulty of recharging them. The energy consumption rate in WSNs varies greatly based on the protocols used. Therefore, developing energy-efficient protocols is an unavoidable issue in WSNs. In addition, it is highly advisable both, verify algorithms before their implementation and carry out performance evaluation prior to the deployment of novel algorithms in real environments. Thus, in this paper we study the problem of optimally controlling the use of sleep states in an energy-aware algorithm, the so-called SustainaBLE, to save energy in IoT Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices. Timed Coloured Petri nets (TCPNs) have been used to obtain complete and unambiguous specifications as well as CPNTools to evaluate the correctness of the protocol and carry out performance evaluation. We present the TCPN formal model for SustainaBLE, which allows input parameters to fulfil the requirements of the system under study, and conduct a neat study of SustainaBLE by modifying the intervals in which the nodes remain in a sleep state. The results conform to those harvest from our testbed allowing us to conclude that we have got a suitable model for different performance evaluation without the need to deploy the system to be studied.

I. Introduction

Advances in wireless communications, digital electronics and analogue devices have enabled the blooming of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) which are expected to be integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT), where sensor nodes join the Internet dynamically, and use it to collaborate and accomplish their tasks. These networks pose new challenges due to the significant limitations of sensors, massive number of nodes, etc. Power consumption arises as one of the main concern in developing IoT WSNs due to nodes employ batteries and they are usually deployed unattended and in large numbers, so that it will be difficult to recharge batteries. Therefore, all systems, processes and communication protocols for IoT WSNs must minimise power consumption.