Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks

In this chapter, we present a literature survey of an emerging, cutting-edge, and multi-disciplinary field of research at the intersection of Robotics and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) which we refer to as Robotic Wireless Sensor Networks (RWSN). We define a RWSN as an autonomous networked multi-robot system that aims to achieve certain sensing goals while meeting and maintaining certain communication performance requirements, through cooperative control, learning and adaptation. While both of the component areas, i.e., Robotics and WSN, are very well-known and well-explored, there exist a whole set of new opportunities and research directions at the intersection of these two fields which are relatively or even completely unexplored. One such example would be the use of a set of robotic routers to set up a temporary communication path between a sender and a receiver that uses the controlled mobility to the advantage of packet routing. We find that there exist only a limited number of articles to be directly categorized as RWSN related works whereas there exist a range of articles in the robotics and the WSN literature that are also relevant to this new field of research. To connect the dots, we first identify the core problems and research trends related to RWSN such as connectivity, localization, routing, and robust flow of information. Next, we classify the existing research on RWSN as well as the relevant state-of-the-arts from robotics and WSN community according to the problems and trends identified in the first step. Lastly, we analyze what is missing in the existing literature, and identify topics that require more research attention in the future

Coverage Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks: Review and Future Directions

The coverage problem in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be generally defined as a measure of how effectively a network field is monitored by its sensor nodes. This problem has attracted a lot of interest over the years and as a result, many coverage protocols were proposed. In this survey, we first propose a taxonomy for classifying coverage protocols in WSNs. Then, we classify the coverage protocols into three categories (i.e. coverage aware deployment protocols, sleep scheduling protocols for flat networks, and cluster-based sleep scheduling protocols) based on the network stage where the coverage is optimized. For each category, relevant protocols are thoroughly reviewed and classified based on the adopted coverage techniques. Finally, we discuss open issues (and recommend future directions to resolve them) associated with the design of realistic coverage protocols. Issues such as realistic sensing models, realistic energy consumption models, realistic connectivity models and sensor localization are covered

Implementation and evaluation of a simulation system based on particle swarm optimisation for node placement problem in wireless mesh networks

With the fast development of wireless technologies, wireless mesh networks (WMNs) are becoming an important networking infrastructure due to their low cost and increased high speed wireless internet connectivity. This paper implements a simulation system based on particle swarm optimisation (PSO) in order to solve the problem of mesh router placement in WMNs. Four replacement methods of mesh routers are considered: constriction method (CM), random inertia weight method (RIWM), linearly decreasing Vmax method (LDVM) and linearly decreasing inertia weight method (LDIWM). Simulation results are provided, showing that the CM converges very fast, but has the worst performance among the methods. The considered performance metrics are the size of giant component (SGC) and the number of covered mesh clients (NCMC). The RIWM converges fast and the performance is good. The LDIWM is a combination of RIWM and LDVM. The LDVM converges after 170 number of phases but has a good performance.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Optimisation of Mobile Communication Networks - OMCO NET

The mini conference “Optimisation of Mobile Communication Networks” focuses on advanced methods for search and optimisation applied to wireless communication networks. It is sponsored by Research & Enterprise Fund Southampton Solent University. The conference strives to widen knowledge on advanced search methods capable of optimisation of wireless communications networks. The aim is to provide a forum for exchange of recent knowledge, new ideas and trends in this progressive and challenging area. The conference will popularise new successful approaches on resolving hard tasks such as minimisation of transmit power, cooperative and optimal routing

Node placement optimization using extended virtual force and cuckoo search algorithm in wireless sensor network

Node placement is one of the fundamental issues that affects the performance of coverage and connectivity in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). In a large scale WSN, sensor nodes are deployed randomly where they are scattered too close or far apart from each other. This random deployment causes issues such as coverage hole, overlapping and connectivity failure that contributes to the performance of coverage and connectivity of WSN. Therefore, node placement model is develop to find the optimal node placement in order to maintain the coverage and guaranteed the connectivity in random deployment. The performance of Extended Virtual Force-Based Algorithm (EVFA) and Cuckoo Search (CS) algorithm are evaluated and EVFA shows the improvement of coverage area and exhibits a guaranteed connectivity compared to CS algorithm. Both algorithms have their own strength in improving the coverage performance. The EVFA approach can relocate the sensor nodes using a repulsive and attractive force after initial deployment and CS algorithm is more efficient in exploring the search of maximum coverage area in random deployment. This study proposed Extended Virtual Force and Cuckoo Search (EVFCS) algorithm with a combination of EVFA and CS algorithm to find an optimal node placement. A series of experimental studies on evaluation of proposed algorithm were conducted within simulated environment. In EVFCS, the algorithm searches the best value of threshold distance and relocated the new position of sensor nodes. The result suggested 18.212m is the best threshold distance that maximizes the coverage area. It also minimizes the problems of coverage hole and overlapping while guaranteeing a reasonable connectivity quality. It proved that the proposed EVFCS outperforms the EVFA approach and achieved a significant improvement in coverage area and guaranteed connectivity. The implementation of the EVFCS improved the problems of initial random deployment