Abstract:

A hierarchical clustering model for a wireless sensor network (WSN) which takes into account the node fault and the balance of energy consumption is built. With the sensing and transmission as the main tasks of the WSN, its working mode is converted to a modular k-out-of-n system whose each modular is also a k-out-of-n structure. By using the theory of signature and its extending, the reliability of the WSN is computed. Finally, the reliability of WSN changing with the number of nodes, coverage requirements and node lifetimes is given by the numerical analysis. The proposed reliability analysis model is suitable for a large-scale WSN.