Time Synchronization Method for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Adaptive Synchronization Period Kalman Filter

Clock synchronization is paramount in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for critical applications such as data dissemination and network management. Inherent fabrication variances lead to disparate clock’s oscillator characteristics among sensor nodes. Consequently, real-time clock state tracking and compensation become imperative. To minimize communication overhead and optimize energy consumption, this paper introduces an Adaptive Synchronization Period Kalman Filter (ASP-KF), an innovative adaptive synchronization protocol leveraging Kalman filtering theory. The proposed algorithm implements a two-way message exchange mechanism for timestamp acquisition and employs an adaptive estimation filter for clock state tracking. By considering the time synchronization precision specifications outlined in the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, a synchronization interval adaptation function is formulated. Extensive simulation experiments corroborate that ASP-KF maintains superior performance under diverse initial conditions and dynamic operational scenarios.