Title: Sensor coverage in wireless ad hoc sensor networks

Authors: Jason H. Li, Miao Yu

Addresses: Intelligent Automation, Inc., Rockville, MD, USA. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

Abstract: We present our solutions to the general sensor coverage problem in wireless ad hoc sensor networks, where the sensors are heterogeneous in terms of sensing, communication and motion capabilities. We propose an integrated framework to accommodate such heterogeneity, in which sensors are logically organised into different tiers. We then address, for each given set of heterogeneous sensors, how the coverage problem can be solved. We first present our Sensing Neighbour Acquiring Protocol (SNAP) which renders correct neighbour information necessary for coverage algorithms. Then we provide our insights on coverage and the necessary and sufficient conditions for the coverage degree determination in a target area. Such theoretical results lead to our general and efficient coverage determination algorithm. Further, we prove that by using SNAP, coverage implies network connectivity. Without assuming uniform sensing ranges, our protocol, algorithm and theoretical results are generally applicable in a wide range of sensor network applications.

Keywords: sensor networks; sensor coverage; connectivity; wireless networks; ad hoc networks; protocol; network geometry; neighbour information.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2007.013202

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2007 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.218 - 229

Published online: 11 Apr 2007 *

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