Title: Path loss-based distance vectored (PLDV) routing protocol for greenhouse monitoring using wireless sensor networks

Authors: Aarti Kochhar; Naresh Kumar

Addresses: University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India; Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana, Punjab, India ' University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab, India

Abstract: Greenhouses provide a controlled environment to crops, and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) present an economical solution for monitoring these environments. Data communication within greenhouses is challenging due to its environment and interference from growing crops. This study proposes a hybrid Path Loss-based Distance Vectored (PLDV) routing protocol, combining distance-vector and total path loss as routing metrics, to address the impact of vegetation on communication. Several propagation loss models, namely Free Space Path Loss, Log-Distance and Two-Ray Ground Reflection, and foliage loss models, like Weissberger's Modified Exponential Decay (WMED), International Telecommunication Union Recommendation (ITU-R) and COST235, are considered. The PLDV protocol's resilience is tested under varying levels of routing links loss (10%, 20%, and 50%) caused by growing crops. The PLDV routing protocol can maintain connectivity even with the loss of 50% of routing links due to crop obstruction, experiencing only 8.98% impact on network viability compared to distance vector routing.

Keywords: wireless sensor network; greenhouse monitoring; routing protocol; path loss; distance vector; vegetation interference; link loss.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIPT.2024.145121

International Journal of Internet Protocol Technology, 2024 Vol.17 No.2, pp.53 - 70

Received: 11 Jun 2024
Accepted: 07 Dec 2024
Published online: 19 Mar 2025 *

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