2011 Third International Conference on Measuring Technology and Mechatronics Automation
A Class of the Wireless Sensor Networks QoS Description and Evaluation
Wang Xiaokai, Du Wenzhuo, Zheng Dongmei
Physics Electronics Engineering College, Shanxi University, Shanxi, 030006, China
ggw1726@hotmail.com
Abstract—Currently, the wireless sensor networks QoS is
confronted with many challenges. Wireless sensor networks
has many characteristics, such as basing on the data, and
facing application and dynamic characteristics. This paper
emphatically analyzes the description of wireless sensor
networks QoS and its QoS evaluation method. Then quantize
the QoS index and Computes QoS indexes weights. Finally,
based on the application, this paper used the theory of fuzzy
mathematics to evaluate wireless sensor networks QoS, and
prove that using this method can reflect the reality function of
a class of wireless sensor networks QoS.
Keywords- WSN; QoS description; QoS evaluation
I. BACKGROUND
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), Wireless Network
holding international concern is the most one of the frontier
areas, which involves multiple disciplines of knowledge
across, height, the highly integrated sensor technology,
computer technology and modern network wireless
communications technology, distributed information
processing technology. It can be applied to the poor area
with difficulties of wiring supplying, the area that few
people can not reach, and some temporary places or some
monitoring sites, such as the water quality monitoring of
rivers, lakes, etc.
As wireless sensor network is used in the practical
application, the key technology has been involved in the
research on routing protocol, localization, time and energy
optimization problem, but throughout the system, the
research of Quality of Service (QoS) is still inadequate. At
present, the wireless sensor network service quality still
faces many problems[1-2].This kind of comprehensive
research across levels studied quality of service on wireless
sensor network (by a large number of sensor nodes,
propagation and monitoring system of wireless sensor
network composed of lakes region, such as the water quality
monitoring of application of wireless sensor network),
mainly involved the QoS parameters, and assessed wireless
sensor networks QoS, based on the fuzzy mathematics
method of comprehensive evaluation.
Firstly, from the perspective of application of wireless
sensor network, network users QoS refers to the degree of
satisfaction services provided. Secondly, from the
perspective of network, wireless sensor networks QoS refers
to network users to provide business parameters, the index is
usually composed of users and network services. Finally, it
is negotiated as a kind of service, and stored through the
relevant agreement in network nodes[3-4].
International scientific and Technological Cooperation
Project in shanxi province (2009081026)
978-0-7695-4296-6/11 $26.00 © 2011 IEEE
DOI 10.1109/ICMTMA.2011.11
In wireless sensor networks application, usually QoS
description is through the reflection of the various indexes
provided by network services and the index reflects the
relationship and the influence of network performance. Here,
aiming at a class of wireless sensor networks, select four
most representative parameters of users demand, which are
network survival period, perception delay, perception
accuracy and integrity, but in the application, QoS first
reflect users’ service feelings[7-10], for example, five level
subjective feelings that users accept wireless sensor network
providing service : excellent, good, generally, bad and very
bad.
II. WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS QOS DESCRIPTION
A. The principle of determining index
Wireless sensor networks service quality is described and
evaluated through various indexes, and designing the
reasonable evaluation index is the key of evaluation analysis
of QoS, basic indexes should obey the following principles:
1) Each index is based on wireless sensor networks
technology indexes and the services provided by the
requirements.
2) Each index is relative independent and avoids
overlapping.
3) Ensure the integrity of evaluation content, select
operable index from the different angle of network system,
and guarantee system no missing.
4) The index are easy to be measured, and the index that
cannot be measured need to be brief and clear.
5) Analyze each index and check them regularly and
carefully.
B. Wireless sensor networks QoS description
According to the analysis of the specific process based
on wireless sensor networks system of common tasks and
the basic principles of the index, we set this kind of wireless
sensor networks QoS performance indicators include
network survival period, perception delay, perception
accuracy and integrity[5-7].
Network survival periodüwhich is one of the important
indexes of wireless sensor networks QoS, which refers to the
time from starting work to the task of time that internet
network cannot finish. Propagation delay.
Perception delayüdelay time consists mainly of data
compression, data fusion and packet, etc, the sampling time
delay caused by delay latency, and processing. Including
sampling delay, processing delay, and propagation delay.
Perception accuracy ü in the network monitoring and
perception precision area, monitoring the accuracy of sensor
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 nodes to event data. It includes the sensor model accuracy, 1/ s
§ s ·
node detection and location accuracy, and error rate. aij = ¨¨ ∏ cijr ¸¸ , conclusion comprehensive judgment
Integrity ü in the wireless sensor networks, the target © r =1 ¹
matrix A = (aij ) .
area events can be successful detection probability, including
three main factors such as network coverage, network 4× 4
connectivity and packet loss rate. For example with table 1 the first layer index of the
According to the research, we have a class of wireless wireless sensor networks QoS, solicit opinions of evaluation
sensor networks QoS main parameters as is shown in table 1: experts, and using the above methods that get judgment
The first layer index The second layer index matrix A, after the form as shown in table 2:
Energy efficiency Network
Network survival period Perception Perception
Bandwidth availability survival Integrality
delay accuracy
period
Sampling delay
Network
Perception delay Processing delay survival 1 1/3 1/6 1/5
Propagation delay period
Sensor model accuracy Perception
3 1 1/2 1/2
Perception accuracy Node detection and location accuracy delay
error rate Perception
6 2 1 1
accuracy
Network coverage
Integrality 5 2 1 1
Integrality Network connectivity
Packets lost rate Table 2. Each index comparison relationship

Table 1. A class of wireless sensor networks QoS of main parameter Then we can get the first layer index’s judgment matrix:
index
ª1 1 / 3 1 / 6 1 / 5º
«3 1 1 / 2 1 / 2 »
III. DETERMINE THE WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS QOS A= « ».
6 2 1 1
AT VARIOUS LEVELS INDEXES WEIGHTS
« »
A. Determine the QoS WSN indexes weights ¬«5 2 1 1 »¼
3) The maximum eigenvalue of judgment matrix of the
In a class of wireless sensor networks parameters, the eigenvectors corresponding to max, namely the weights of
QoS parameters on the network system are not the same assessment indices for sorting, specific uses below
degree of influence, so using weights of each index in the
calculation method:
system to the importance of each index weight, so the
rationality of the service quality evaluation and decision of a) Each column will judgment matrix is normalized:
the authenticity and dependence. This article uses Analytic a ij
Hierarchy Process (AHP)[8] and expert investigation method a ij = n ˈ i, j, k = 1, 2,…n, than the normalized
(Delphi method)[9-10] to determine the weight of each index. ¦ a kj
Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is the element with k =1
decision will be decomposed into the target, criterion, ª0.07 0.06 0.06 0.07 º
scheme levels, based on qualitative and quantitative analysis
«0.20 0.19 »
for the decision-making method. Delphi method, as a kind of
subjective, qualitative approach, not only can be used to
matrix: A = a ij( )
n× n
, A=«
0.19 0.19
».
predict areas, and can be widely used in various evaluation «0.40 0.37 0.37 0.37
»
index system is established and the determination process
«¬0.33 0.38 0.38 0.37 »¼
specification. b) Will the normalized rows of matrix after adding:
1) First using Delphi method to determine the relative n
wi = ¦ aij , i, j =1, 2,…n, namely w1 =0.27, w2 =0.79,
important degree at each index. By 9 assignment method j =1
(scale value 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, they are in proper order A relative
to B’s important is that: same, a little, obviously, strong and w 3 =1.58, w4 =1.51.
extremely important.) to construct the first r˄r=1, 2,…, s
˅expert’s indexes comparison matrix: Cr = cij
r
r
( )
n×n
, in this
c) Again the column W’=[ w1 , w2 , w3 , w4 ]T

formula, cij means the important degree of index i relative wi

to the index j (assignment 1-9). regularization get: wi = n , i, j = 1, 2,…n, get
2) Using geometric method to deal with different ¦ wj
j =1
experts’ opinions. Established there are with s experts to
evaluation the wireless sensor networks QoS, experts think weight: w1 =0.07, w2 =0.19, w3 =0.38, w4 =0.36, than
index i is important than j comprehensive value is

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W=[ w1 , w2 , w3 , w4 ]T is the requests for the feature w22 =0.14, w23 =0.72; this time, n=3, max=3.00, C.I=0,

vector: W’= [0.07 0.19 0.38 0.36] . ª1 1 1 / 5º

T

R.I=0.58, C.R=0<0.1, judgment matrix: A= «1 1 1 / 5» .

B. The consistency of the judgment matrix «5 5 »
Now through the judgment matrix to inspection ¬ 1 ¼
consistency, judge whether reasonable distribution of 3) Calculated the second layer index weight of network
weight. coverage, network connectivity and packets lost rate:
1) Calculating the maximum eigenvalue of judgment w31 =0.22, w32 =0.11, w33 =0.67, this time n=3; max
matrix max. =3.00, C.I=0, R.I=0.58, C.R=0<0.1, judgment matrix:
n
( AW ')i ª 1 2 1 / 3º
The maximum eigenvalue matrix: max = ¦,
i =1 nwi A= «1 / 2 1 1 / 6» .
« 3 6 1 »
the ( AW ')i is the i variable of vector Aw . ¬ ¼
4) The second level index calculation network coverage,
ª1 1 / 3 1 / 6 1 / 5º ª0.07 º ª0.27 º network connectivity and packet loss rate of weight:
«3 1 1 / 2 1 / 2 » «0.19» «0.78» w 41 =0.5, w42 =0.25, w43 =0.25 and n=3, max=3.00,
AW ' = « » « » =« »
«6 2 1 1
» «0.38» «1.55 » C.I=0, R.I=0.58, C.R=0<0.1, judgment matrix: A
«¬5 2 1 1 »¼ «¬0.36»¼ «¬1.48 »¼ ª 1 2 2º
4
( AW ')i = «1 / 2 1 1 » .
max= ¦ =4 «1 / 2 1 1 »
i =1 4 wi ¬ ¼
λ max − n IV. THE FUZZY COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION FOR QOS
2) The consistency check index: C.I = .
n −1 OF WSN
3) Make sure random consistency index R.I, we can
check list get: n=1 or n=2, R.I=0; n=3, R.I=0.58; n=4, A. Fuzzy mathematical method
R.I=0.9. Fuzzy mathematics is with uncertainty for the research
4) Calculating the consistency ratio C.R. object of things and to deal with the fuzzy phenomena of
Define the consistency ratio: C.R=C.I/R.I.When mathematical subject, which communicates the research
C.R<0.1, the consistency of judgment matrix that meet the object of certainty and uncertainty of mathematical
requirements; whereas, when C.R0.1, should make object[12-13]. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method
appropriate for judgment matrix, to maintain a certain degree can comprehensive evaluation, so we can choose according
of consistency. In this judgment matrix, there are n = 4, to the results of the actual effect.
max = 4,
B. Wireless sensor networks QoS model and
λ max − n 4 − 4 comprehensive evaluation
C.I = = =0
n −1 4 −1 On the basis of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method,
C.R= C.I/R.I =0<0.1 we will consider the first layer index of a class wireless
At this time, the judgment matrix A got consistency. sensor networks QoS as a factor set U = {network survival
period, perception delay, perception accuracy, integrality }.
C. The second layer index weight calculation
Network survival period can be described as a binary set, V1
Similarly, according to the above method to calculate the ={energy efficiency, bandwidth availability},we can
second layer index weights of a class wireless sensor establish corresponding three sets, as follows: V2 =
networks QoS: {sampling delay, processing delay, propagation delay}, V3 =
1) Calculated the second layer index weight of energy {sensor model accuracy, node detection and location
efficiency and bandwidth availability: w11 =0.83, w12 =0.17; accuracy, error rate}, V4 = {network coverage, network
connectivity, packet loss rate}. Then, we established the
ª 1 5º corresponding evaluation set, which expressing as M = {m1,
Judgment matrix: A=
«¬1 / 5 1»¼ . m2, m3,….mp}. According to the users’ evaluation on a
class wireless sensor networks QoS, may be set: M =
2) Calculated the second layer index weight of sampling
{excellent, good, generally, bad, very bad}.
delay, processing delay and propagation delay: w21 =0.14,
C. The first level of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation
For wireless sensor networks services provided, several
experts or professors do the first level fuzzy comprehensive
evaluation. For example, just consider the first layer index of

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integrality, it contain three second layer indexes: network
coverage, network connectivity and packet loss rate. Among
them, for the evaluation of network coverage, 65% of people
feel good, 25% of people feel better, 10% of the people think
that in general. They can get the second layer index of
network coverage’s evaluation set is: (0.6 0.3 0.1 0 0).
Similar, network connectivity and packet loss rate of
evaluation set:(0.7 0.2 0.1 0 0); (0.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0).
The evaluation set is component a judgment matrix:
ª0.6 0.3 0.1 0 0º
S 4 = « 0 .7 0 .2 0 .1 0 0 »
«0.5 0.2 0.1 0.1 0»
¬ ¼
Reuse the Delphi method calculate the second layer
indexes weights, so we get the weight matrix of network
coverage, network connectivity and packet loss rate is
[ ]
W4= 0.5 0.25 0.25 , the comprehensive evaluation of
index integrity for wireless sensor networks QoS is:
Q4=W4S4, namely:
ª0.6 0.3 0.1 0 0º
[ ]
Q4 = 0.5 0.25 0.25 «0.7 0.2 0.1 0 0»
«0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 0»
¬ ¼
V. CONCLUSION
From the perspective of applications, this paper mainly
studied factors of QoS which influence wireless sensor
networks, and some main indexes were described and
evaluated, classified indexes of wireless sensor networks
QoS. Based on the comprehensive evaluation of fuzzy
mathematics, this paper evaluated a class of wireless sensor
networks QoS.
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[
= 0.6 0.27 0.1 0.03 0 ] [6] Felemban E,Lee C G,Ekici E,Boder R,Vural S.Probabilistic QoS
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[
Q1 = 0.63 0.27 0.1 0 0 ] QoS model [J]. Science and technology and engineering, 2008, 8
(18): 5304-5307.
Q2 = [0.45 0.44 0.11 0 0 ] [8] Xuboxing, Principle of analytic hierarchy process [M]. Tianjin:
Tianjin university press, 1988.
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ª 0.6 0.27 0.1 0.03 0º Harbin: Harbin industrial university press, 2004.
«0.63 0.27 0.1 0 0»
S=« »
«0.45 0.44 0.11 0 0
»
«¬0.35 0.52 0.11 0.02 0»¼
D. On second evaluation
According to the first layer indexes of weight:
[ ]
W= 0.07 0.19 0.38 0.36 , for wireless sensor networks
QoS main parameters comprehensively estimates:
Q=WS=
ª 0.6 0.27 0.1 0.03 0º
[0.07 0.19 0.38 0.36] ««0.63 0.27 0.1 0 0»
»
«0.45 0.44 0.11 0 0
»
«¬0.35 0.52 0.11 0.02 0»¼
[
= 0.46 0.42 0.11 0.01 0 ]
According to the above request, according to the results
of the maximum membership degree about this evaluation
sets, we can think of the a class wireless sensor networks
QoS performance is good, the user thinks excellent for 46%,
think good proportion to 42%.

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