CROSS: A probabilistic constrained random sensor selection scheme in wireless sensor networks

Due to the application-specific nature of wireless sensor networks, the sensitivity to coverage and data reporting latency varies depending on the type of applications. In light of this, algorithms and protocols should be application-aware to achieve the optimum use of highly limited resources in sensors and hence to increase the overall network performance. This paper proposes a probabilistic constrained random sensor selection (CROSS) scheme for application-aware sensing coverage with a goal to maximize the network lifetime. The CROSS scheme randomly selects in each round (approximately) k data-reporting sensors which are sufficient for a user/application-specified desired sensing coverage (DSC) maintaining a minimum distance between any pair of the selected k sensors. We exploit the Poisson sampling technique to force the minimum distance. Consequently, the CROSS improves the spatial regularity of randomly selected k sensors and hence the fidelity of satisfying the DSC in each round, and the connectivity among the selected sensors increase. To this end, we also introduce an algorithm to compute the desired minimum distance to be forced between any pair of sensors. Finally, we present the probabilistic analytical model to measure the impact of the Poisson sampling technique on selecting k sensors, along with the optimality of the desired minimum distance computed by the proposed algorithm.     

基于能量均衡的最大化覆盖目标算法

目标覆盖问题是无线传感网络WSNs(Wireless sensor networks)最重要的问题之一.每个目标至少被一个传感节点覆盖,为此提出基于能量均衡的最大化覆盖目标EMNL(Energy-balance-based Maximizing Network Lifetime)算法.EMNL算法将所有传感节点划分不同的传感节点覆盖区SC(Sensor Cover),致使每个SC能够维持对所有目标监测一个固定时间.通过有选择性选择一个SC活动,而其他SC休眠,进而提高能量利用率,延长了网络寿命.EMNL算法构建了不同不相邻SC,进而最大化网络寿命.最后,建立仿真环境,并进行性能仿真.此环境下的数据表明,在EMNL算法有效地扩延生存时间,也提升了覆盖率.     

Network lifetime bounds for hierarchical wireless sensor networks in the presence of energy constraints

In previous years, one popular problem that is constantly being researched into is how to prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Many approaches to maximize network lifetime have been proposed and each approach provides different levels of energy savings and are efficient in their own aspects. However, these proposed algorithms are not suitable for use in a hard network lifetime environment where participating sensors should be working till the strict network lifetime requirement. The predictability of the network lifetime plays an important role in supporting guaranteed network lifetime services. This can be provided through the schedulability test that complements the online operations of safe and critical sensor network systems. In this paper, we focus on the study of the predictability of the network lifetime to enable the High Energy First clustering algorithm (HEF) to work in a hard lifetime environment and present a schedulability test to verify whether HEF can make the set of sensors schedulable in terms of N-of-N and K-of-N alive nodes.     

Top-k query evaluation in sensor networks under query response time constraint

Top-k query in a wireless sensor network is to find the k sensor nodes with the highest sensing values. To evaluate the top-k query in such an energy-constrained network poses great challenges, due to the unique characteristics imposed on its sensors. Existing solutions for top-k query in the literature mainly focused on energy efficiency but little attention has been paid to the query response time and its effect on the network lifetime. In this paper we address the query response time and its effect on the network lifetime through the study of the top-k query problem in sensor networks with the response time constraint. We aim at finding an energy-efficient routing tree and evaluating top-k queries on the tree such that the network lifetime is significantly prolonged, provided that the query response time constraint is met too. To do so, we first present a cost model of energy consumption for answering top-k queries and introduce the query response time definition. We then propose a novel joint query optimization framework, which consists of finding a routing tree in the network and devising a filter-based evaluation algorithm for top-k query evaluation on the tree. We finally conduct extensive experiments by simulation to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms, in terms of the total energy consumption, the maximum energy consumption among nodes, the query response time, and the network lifetime. The experimental results showed that there is a non-trivial tradeoff between the query response time and the network lifetime, and the joint query optimization framework can prolong the network lifetime significantly under a specified query response time constraint.     

Connected K-target coverage problem in wireless sensor networks with different observation scenarios

In this paper, we consider the problem of scheduling sensor activities to maximize network lifetime while maintaining both discrete K-target coverage and network connectivity. In K-target coverage, it is required that each target should be simultaneously observed by at least K sensors. The data generated by the sensors will be transmitted to the sink node via single or multiple hop communications. As maintaining discrete target coverage cannot guarantee the network connectivity, we consider both target coverage and connectivity issues. Further, by adopting a more realistic energy consumption model, we consider the sensor activity scheduling problem and routing problem jointly. We study the problem with two observation scenarios depending on whether a sensor can distinguish the targets in its sensing area or not. For the first scenario, a more general scenario where each sensor can simultaneously observe multiple targets is considered and we develop a polynomial-time algorithm which can achieve optimal solution based on linear programming and integer theorem. For the second scenario, we show that the problem is NP-complete and develop an approximation algorithm for solving it. As the protocol cost of the optimal solution and the approximation algorithm may be high in practice, we develop a low-cost heuristic algorithm which can be implemented in a distributed fashion for both scenarios. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the heuristic algorithm through extensive simulations.     

A new genetic-based approach for maximizing network lifetime in directional sensor networks with adjustable sensing ranges

In recent years, the directional sensor networks have been attractive to researchers due to their wide and different applications. These networks normally contain a number of self-configurable directional sensors holding adjustable spherical sectors with limited angle. One of the most significant problems in such networks is how to monitor the targets scattered in these networks using sensors with adjustable sensing range and, at the same time, maximize the network lifetime. This problem is recognized as Maximum Network Lifetime With Adjustable Ranges; it has been already proved as an NP-complete problem. As an efficient solution to this problem, the present paper proposes a target-oriented GA-based algorithm that can form cover sets comprising sensors with appropriate directions and sensing ranges in a way to desirably monitor all targets in the network. We examined the efficiency of the proposed algorithm by comparing its obtained results with those of a greedy-based one introduced recently in literature. The comparative results confirmed the efficient performance of the proposed algorithm and also its superiority over the greedy-based algorithm in terms of extending the network lifetime.     

Learning automata-based algorithms for finding cover sets in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been widely used in different applications. One of the most significant issues in WSNs is developing an efficient algorithm to monitor all the targets and, at the same time, extend the network lifetime. As sensors are often densely deployed, employing scheduling algorithms can be considered a promising approach that is able ultimately to result in extending total network lifetime. In this paper, we propose three learning automata-based scheduling algorithms for solving target coverage problem in WSNs. The proposed algorithms employ learning automata (LA) to determine the sensors that should be activated at each stage for monitoring all the targets. Additionally, we design a pruning rule and manage critical targets in order to maximize network lifetime. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms, extensive simulation experiments were carried out, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms in terms of extending the network lifetime. Simulation results also revealed that by a proper choice of the learning rate, a proper trade-off could be achieved between the network lifetime and running time.     

A learning automata-based algorithm for solving coverage problem in directional sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks have been used in a wide variety of applications. Recently, networks consisting of directional sensors have gained prominence. An important challenge facing directional sensor networks (DSNs) is maximizing the network lifetime while covering all the targets in an area. One effective method for saving the sensors’ energy and extending the network lifetime is to partition the DSN into several covers, each of which can cover all targets, and then to activate these covers successively. This paper first proposes a fully distributed algorithm based on irregular cellular learning automata to find a near-optimal solution for selecting each sensor’s appropriate working direction. Then, to find a near-optimal solution that can cover all targets with the minimum number of active sensors, a centralized approximation algorithm is proposed based on distributed learning automata. This algorithm takes advantage of learning automata (LA) to determine the sensors that must be activated at each stage. As the presented algorithm proceeds, the activation process is focused on the sensor nodes that constitute the cover set with the minimum number of active sensors. Through simulations, we indicate that the scheduling algorithm based on LA has better performance than the greedy algorithm-based scheme in terms of maximizing network lifetime.     

Lifetime maximization considering target coverage and connectivity in directional image/video sensor networks

A directional sensor network consists of a large number of directional sensors (e.g., image/video sensors), which have a limited angle of sensing range due to technical constraints or cost considerations. In such directional sensor networks, the power saving issue is a challenging problem. In this paper, we address the Directional Cover and Transmission (DCT) problem of organizing the directional sensors into a group of non-disjoint subsets to extend the network lifetime. One subset in which the directional sensors cover all the targets and forward the sensed data to the sink is activated at one time, while the others sleep to conserve their energy. For the DCT problem proven to be the NP-complete problem, we present a heuristic algorithm called the Shortest Path from Target to Sink (SPTS)-greedy algorithm. To verify and evaluate the proposed algorithm, we conduct extensive simulations and show that it can contribute to extending the network lifetime to a reasonable extent.     

无线传感网络中基于DSC问题的记忆式算法研究

网络寿命是影响无线传感网络WSN( Wireless Sensor Network)应用最关键因素之一,受到广泛关注。将所有传感节点划分为不相交的传感节点覆盖( Sensor covers)子集,致使每个cover能够覆盖所有目标节点,并且所有cover轮流工作,这是延长网络寿命的有效方案。因此,可通过最大化cover数提高网络寿命,即求解不相交覆盖集DSC( Disjoint Set Cover)问题。为此,提出基于IMA( Improved Memetic Algorithm)算法求解DSC问题。 IMA算法先建立初始矩阵Initial Population,再经优化Optimizer阶段、改进Improver阶段,形成最大化covers。仿真结果表明,与其他启发式算法和进化算法相比,提出的IMA算法能够形成最大化的covers。     

A new efficient algorithm for optimal assignment of smart weapons to targets

In the modern battlefields smart weapons inherently rely on the sensors. The benefit of assigning a given weapon to a target often depends on the pre-assigned sensor. In this paper we present an efficient algorithm to optimally assign sensors and weapons to targets. This algorithm is derived from the well-known auction algorithm, and it is named as Swt-opt. We prove that Swt-opt converges to an optimal solution.     

Localized monitoring of kNN queries in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks have been widely used in civilian and military applications. Primarily designed for monitoring purposes, many sensor applications require continuous collection and processing of sensed data. Due to the limited power supply for sensor nodes, energy efficiency is a major performance concern in query processing. In this paper, we focus on continuous kNN query processing in object tracking sensor networks. We propose a localized scheme to monitor nearest neighbors to a query point. The key idea is to establish a monitoring area for each query so that only the updates relevant to the query are collected. The monitoring area is set up when the kNN query is initially evaluated and is expanded and shrunk on the fly upon object movement. We analyze the optimal maintenance of the monitoring area and develop an adaptive algorithm to dynamically decide when to shrink the monitoring area. Experimental results show that establishing a monitoring area for continuous kNN query processing greatly reduces energy consumption and prolongs network lifetime.     

Sleep–wake up scheduling with probabilistic coverage model in sensor networks1

Energy optimisation is one of the important issues in the research of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In the application of monitoring, a large number of sensors are scattered uniformly to cover a collection of points of interest (PoIs) distributed randomly in the monitored area. Since the energy of battery-powered sensor is limited in WSNs, sensors are scheduled to wake up in a large-scale sensor network application. In this paper, we consider how to reduce the energy consumption and prolong the lifetime of WSNs through wake-up scheduling with probabilistic sensing model in the large-scale application of monitoring. To extend the lifetime of sensor network, we need to balance the energy consumption of sensors so that there will not be too much redundant energy in some sensors before the WSN terminates. The detection probability and false alarm probability are taken into consideration to achieve a better performance and reveal the real sensing process which is characterised in the probabilistic sensing model. Data fusion is also introduced to utilise information of sensors so that a PoI in the monitored area may be covered by multiple sensors collaboratively, which will decrease the number of sensors that cover the monitored region. Based on the probabilistic model and data fusion, minimum weight probabilistic coverage problem is formulated in this paper. We also propose a greedy method and modified genetic algorithm based on the greedy method to address the problem. Simulation experiments are conducted to demonstrate the advantages of our proposed algorithms over existing work.     

A novel energy-efficient clustering protocol with area coverage awareness for wireless sensor networks

Coverage is a key metric in evaluating the monitoring capacity and quality of services in wireless sensor networks. The energy consumption of self-contained sensors is also a challenging problem for energy-efficient use while still achieving better coverage performance. Although techniques have been developed to mitigate the problem of area coverage, particularly together with efficient clustering methods, none focuses intensively on the sensor activation stage, which is used to maintain coverage while optimizing energy usage. In this research, we thus propose a cover set to find the minimum set of sensors that completely cover the sensing ranges within an interest area as a criterion for sensor activation. Our main goal is to select an optimal number of active sensors considering residual energy and the cover set and to keep alive the important sensors for the sensing coverage task as long as possible. Additionally, this research proposes an area coverage-aware clustering protocol (ACACP) with energy consumption optimization with respect to the activation sensor, network clustering, and multi-hop communication to improve overall network lifetime while preserving coverage. Throughout the intensive simulation, given a diversity of deployments with scalability concern, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of ACACP when compared with other competitive approaches such as ECDC and DECAR, including state-of-the-art clustering protocols such as LEACH, in terms of coverage ratio and overall network lifetime.     

EQOWSN: Evolutionary-based query optimization over self-organized wireless sensor networks

In this paper, a new approach has been introduced that integrates an evolutionary-based mechanism with a distributed query sensor cover algorithm for optimal query execution in self-organized wireless sensor networks (WSN). An algorithm based on an evolutionary technique is proposed, with problem-specific genetic operators to improve computing efficiency. Redundancy within a sensor network can be exploited to reduce the communication cost incurred in execution of spatial queries. Any reduction in communication cost would result in an efficient use of battery energy, which is very limited in sensors. Our objective is to self-organize the network, in response to a query, into a topology that involves an optimal subset of sensors that is sufficient to process the query subject to connectivity, coverage, energy consumption, cover size and communication overhead constraints. Query processing must incorporate energy awareness into the system by reducing the total energy consumption and hence increasing the lifetime of the sensor cover, which is beneficial for large long running queries. Experiments have been carried out on networks with different sensors Transmission radius, different query sizes, and different network configurations. Through extensive simulations, we have shown that our designed technique result in substantial energy savings in a sensor network. Compared with other techniques, the results demonstrated a significant improvement of the proposed technique in terms of energy-efficient query cover with lower communication cost and lower size.     

多感知范围无线传感器网络中一种分布式目标覆盖算法

基于多感知范围无线传感器网络中节点与目标的覆盖关系,设计了一种目标生命期评估机制。鉴于网络生命期由具有最小生命期的目标决定,在分析节点感知半径变更影响的基础上,提出了两种提高最小目标生命期的策略,建立了一个动态目标覆盖博弈模型,并证明了该博弈存在纯策略的纳什均衡。本文设计了一种分布式目标覆盖算法,算法中节点根据邻居节点的能量分布和目标覆盖情况,选用最优感知半径,以确保目标完全覆盖并延长最小目标生命期。仿真结果表明,在不同的网络中所提算法均能有效地延长网络生命期。     

无线传感器网络最小覆盖集的贪婪近似算法

网络生命期是限制无线传感器网络发展的一个瓶颈.在保证网络监控性能的前提下,仅调度部分节点工作而让其余节点处于低功耗的休眠状态,可以有效节省能耗,延长网络生命期.节点调度的目标是寻找一个能够覆盖监控区域的最小节点集合,这是一个NP难问题,目前,其近似算法的性能较低.提出了一种基于贪婪法的最小覆盖集近似算法,在构造覆盖集的过程中,优先选择扩展面积最大的有效节点加入覆盖集.理论分析表明,该算法能够构造出较好的覆盖集,时间复杂度为O(n),其中,n为初始节点总数.实验数据表明,该算法的性能要优于现有算法,得到的覆盖集的平均大小比现有算法减小了14.2%左右,且执行时间要短于现有算法.当初始节点分布较密时,该算法得到的平均覆盖度小于1.75,近似比小于1.45.     

学习自动机结合节点功率自适应调整的WSN目标覆盖方案

针对大多数现有无线传感器网络(Wireless Sensor Network, WSN)目标覆盖方案没有考虑传感器功率(传感范围)可调的问题,提出一种基于学习自动机(Learning Automata, LA)和节点功率自适应调整的WSN的目标覆盖方案。利用LA算法根据节点能量自适应调整节点的发射功率,构建能够覆盖所有目标的覆盖集,并通过精简过程获得最小覆盖集,从而减低节点的能耗,提高网络的生命周期。通过实验研究了传感器数量和目标数量对网络寿命的影响,并将该方案与基于贪婪算法、遗传算法的方案进行比较,结果表明,该方案能够获得更多的覆盖集和更长的网络寿命。     

Visual sensor network lifetime maximization by prioritized scheduling of nodes

Visual surveillance of a designated air space can be achieved by a randomly distributed camera sensor network spread over a large area. The location and field of view of each battery operated sensor, after a calibration phase, will be known to a central processing node. To increase the lifetime of the network, the density of distributed sensors could be such that a subset of sensors can cover the required air space. As a sensor dies another sensor should be selected to compensate for the dead one and reestablish the complete coverage. This process should be continued until complete coverage is not achievable by the existing sensors. Thereafter, a graceful degradation of the coverage is desirable.The goal is to elongate the lifetime of the network while maintaining a maximum possible coverage of the designated air space. Since the selection of a subset of sensors for complete coverage of the target area is an NP-complete problem, we present a number of heuristics for this case. The proposed methods are categorized in two groups. In one category, the sensors are prioritized based on their visual and communicative properties and the selection is performed according to the prioritizing function. In the other group, we propose traditional evolutionary and swarm intelligence algorithms. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated through extensive simulations.     

Power control based topology construction for the distributed wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor network consists of large number of sensor nodes with limited battery power, which are randomly deployed over certain area for several applications. Due to limited energy resource of sensors, each of them should minimize the energy consumption to prolong the network lifetime. In this paper, a distributed algorithm for the multi-hop wireless sensor network is proposed to construct a novel energy efficient tree topology, without having location information of the nodes. Energy conservation of the nodes is accomplished by controlling transmission power of the nodes. Besides, maintenance of the network topology due to energy scarcity of the gateway nodes is also proposed in the protocol. Simulation results show that our distributed protocol can achieve energy conservation up to an optimum level similar to the centralized algorithm that we have considered and can extend the network lifetime as compared to other distributed algorithms without any power control.