3-Level Heterogeneity Model for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a network model with energy heterogeneity. This model is general enough in the sense that it can describe 1-level, 2-level, and 3-level heterogeneity. The proposed model is characterized by a parameter whose lower and upper bounds are determined. For 1-level heterogeneity, the value of parameter is zero and, for 2-level heterogeneity, its value is (√5-1)/2. For 3-level of heterogeneity, the value of parameter varies between its lower bound and upper bound. The lower bound is determined from the energy levels of different node types, whereas the upper bound is given by (√5-1)/2. As value of parameter decreases from upper bound towards the lower bound, the network lifetime increases. Furthermore, as the level of heterogeneity increases, the network lifetime increases.