On the Stochastic Link Modeling of Static Wireless Sensor Networks in Ocean Environments

Abstract

Despite the advantages that ocean surface Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have over traditional ocean monitoring methods, ocean WSN research suffers from lack of an accurate model that describes the stability of wireless links among sensor nodes. In this paper, we are going to investigate ocean surface waves' effects on the Line-of-Sight (LoS) link between sensors in a homogeneous WSN. Specifically, we will derive the blockage probability of LoS links between a transmitter and receiver pair due to wave movements, and analyze how environmental effects like wind speed affect it. Simulation results along with oceanographic measurements validate our analyses, making our model applicable in design and planning of WSN in the ocean environment.