Method of regulating wireless sensor network energy use

A method of regulating wireless sensor network energy use in a wireless sensor network having at least one access point node, and having a plurality of sensor nodes defining a sensing region, comprising:

• generating an energy management plan for a sensing mission that lasts for a management period, said energy management plan controlling an operation of said plurality of sensor nodes based on at least one environment parameter related to an environment of said sensing region;
• downloading at least a portion of said energy management plan to said plurality of sensor nodes;
• and
• adjusting data collection from said plurality of sensor nodes based on said energy management plan during said management period to adjust a power consumption of at least one sensor node of said plurality of sensor nodes.

A method of regulating wireless sensor network energy use in a wireless sensor network having at least one access point node, and having a plurality of sensor nodes defining a sensing region, comprising:

• generating an energy management plan for a management period for a sensing mission, said energy management plan having a plurality of energy management sub-plans for a corresponding plurality of management sub-periods for a corresponding plurality of sensing sub-missions;
• identifying relevant environment parameters for said sensing region for a current energy management sub-plan for a current sensing sub-mission;
• generating for said current energy management sub-plan a plurality of individualized sensor management and data transfer plans for said plurality of sensor nodes based on said relevant environment parameters;
• downloading to each individual sensor node a corresponding sensor management and data transfer plan of said plurality of individualized sensor management and data transfer plans;
• executing said plurality of individualized sensor management and data transfer plans by said plurality of sensor nodes;
• and
• transferring data from said plurality of sensor nodes to a management computer in accordance with said plurality of individualized sensor management and data transfer plans.

A wireless sensor network, comprising:

• a management computer;
• at least one access point node interacting with said management computer;
• and
• a plurality of sensor nodes defining a sensing region, said plurality of sensor nodes being communicatively coupled to said management computer via said at least one access point node,
• said management computer being operable to identify at least one environment parameter related to an environment of said sensing region that is needed to make an operational decision;
• and
• said management computer being operable to adjust data collection from said plurality of sensor nodes based on said at least one environment parameter to adjust a power consumption of at least one sensor node of said plurality of sensor nodes.