Energy - Efficiency of MIMO Diversity Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we consider application of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) based communication in wireless sensors networks. In this paper, we analyze the transmission method to minimize the total energy consumption required to send a given number of bits. In wireless sensors networks, the nodes are operating on batteries so that energy consumption must be minimized while satisfying given throughput and delay requirement. In this paper, we first consider MIMO systems based on Alamouti diversity schemes, which have good spectral efficiency but also more complex circuitry that consume more energy from sensors nodes. By transmitting and receiving jointly, we show that tremendous energy is saving possible for the transmission distances larger than given threshold. Simulation results are included.