Simulation-based analysis of clock synchronization for underwater wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Clock synchronization in underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSN) is a key procedure for the operation of this type of networks. Besides, due to the characteristics of the underwater channel, UWSNs face challenging constraints that make them different from other ad hoc wireless networks such as limited bandwidth, high error rates, high propagation delay, just to mention a few. Most of the existing literature on clock synchronization for UWSNs has been done through mathematical models. Thus, in this paper, we present a simulation-based approach to Light-Sync, which is a protocol synchronizing sensor nodes placed on the sea to a beacon on the surface. We use NS-2 along with AquaSim to study a UWSN with Light-Sync and prove its operation by means of discrete-event simulation. Moreover, our results are consistent with those found in Light-Sync and match accurately the synchronization accuracy regardless the number of nodes in the UWSN. Thus, we provide a simulation-based validation approach that makes more robust the proposal in Light-Sync.