Page Dissemination Modeling and Optimization for Coding-based Reprogramming Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks

Coding-based reprogramming protocols are presented to realize efficient over-the-air reprogramming in wireless sensor networks with high packet loss rate. However, existing mathematical analysis models for these protocols have considerable deviation with real data. In this paper, we present a novel page dissemination time model to reduce the deviation. Our model comprehensively analyzes the details of the protocols, handling the impacts on page encoding, page decoding, page pipelining and negotiation mechanism. It can be used to aid protocol design for performance optimizations. For minimizing the time of page dissemination, we present a Firefly Algorithm with feasibility-based rules to search an optimal solution (i.e., the number of data packets per page). Results from the simulations of a representative coding-based reprogramming protocol as Rateless Deluge are in good accordance with the performance forecasted by our model, thus verifying the validity of our model. Moreover, our Firefly Algorithm can converge to the global optimal solution quickly and efficiently.