SCUD: Smart Code Updating Design for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Dynamic code updating, ranging from setting parameters to modifying the entire system, is one of the important issues in wireless sensor networks. Previous code updating schemes merely aim to reduce the amount of the codes to be transmitted. By reducing the size of code, existing mechanisms conserve limited energy. However, previous schemes can expend significant energy caused by inefficient transmission based on flooding, if there are frequent code updates in wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we propose SCUD, which is a smart code updating scheme for improving both the energy efficiency and life-time of the entire sensor networks. If sensor software needs to be updated, our scheme adaptively selects an energy-efficient method, deciding between a remote-call and a local-call after updating a function. The runtime decision is made by analyzing the cost of a remote-call, and a local-call with dynamic code updating in terms of energy consumption. Our simulation results show that SCUD significantly reduces energy consumption compared to existing schemes.