Time Synchronization in Wireless Sensor Networks：A Survey

Abstract: Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been used as an important tool inmany fields of science and industry. Time synchronization is also a criticalissue in wireless sensor networks and its aim is to synchronize the local timefor some or all nodes in the network, if necessary. However, wireless sensornetworks are limited in their accuracy, energy efficiency, scalability, and complexityand some traditional time synchronization algorithms such as NetworkTime Protocol (NTP) and Global Positioning System (GPS) are unsuitable forWSNs. This work surveys and evaluates state-of-art time synchronization protocolsbased on many factors including accuracy, energy efficiency, and complexity,and analyzes the effect that time synchronization has in a wirelesssensor network. IN ADDITION, more attention is paid to several time synchronizationalgorithms and their advantages and disadvantages. Also, the surveyprovides a valuable framework for comparing new and existing synchronizationprotocols. According to the evaluation for the performance of time synchronizationalgorithms, this thesis provides assistance in relation to further improvingthe performance of time synchronization. Finally, future research directionsin relation to time synchronization in wireless sensor networks are alsoproposed.