RICA: A ring-based information collection architecture in wireless sensor networks

We propose a novel data collection architecture, called Ring-based Information Collection Architecture (RICA), for sensor networks. In the RICA scheme, sensors are organised into a ring. According to our study, the transmission delay time of data collection in a ring is only a half of that in PEGASIS, in which sensors are organised into a chain. We present a ring construction algorithm for RICA, which can reduce the average transmission distance between every pair of adjacent sensors. In addition, we also propose another scheme, called L-RICA, to further reduce the transmission delay time of RICA. L-RICA makes use of a layered-ring architecture for concurrent transmissions. Simulation results show that RICA indeed has longer-life time and lower Energy × Delay than both the cluster-based scheme (e.g. LEACH) and the chain-based scheme (e.g. PEGASIS). Compared to other layered architecture, L-RICA outperforms the chain-based binary and chain-based three-level schemes.