Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks: Algorithms and Protocols for Scalable Coordination and Data Communication

Chapter 10

Sensor Placement in Sensor and Actuator Networks

Xu Li ¹, Amiya Nayak¹, David Simplot-Ryl², and Ivan Stojmenovic¹

¹ School of Information Technology and Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5

² CNRS/INRIA, University of Lille 1, 59655 Villeneuve d'ascq, France

Abstract

Coverage is a functional basis of any sensor network. The impact on coverage from stochastic node dropping and inevitable node failure, coupling with controlled node mobility, gives rise to the problem of movement-assisted sensor placement in wireless sensor and actuator networks (WSAN). One or more actuators may carry sensors, and drop them at proper position, while moving around, in the region of interest (ROI) to construct desired coverage. Mobile sensors may change their original placement so as to improve existing coverage. Emerging coverage holes are to be covered by idle sensors. Actuator may place spare sensors according to certain energy optimality criteria. If sensors are mobile, they can relocate themselves to fill holes. In this chapter existing solutions to the sensor placement problem in WSAN are comprehensively reviewed.