Abstract
Maintaining inter-actor connectivity is extremely crucial in mission-critical applications of Wireless Sensor and Actor Networks (WSANs), as actors have to quickly plan optimal coordinated responses to detected events. Failure of a critical actor partitions the inter-actor network into disjoint segments besides leaving a coverage hole, and thus hinders the network operation. This paper presents a Partitioning detection and Connectivity Restoration (PCR) algorithm to tolerate critical actor failure. As part of pre-failure planning, PCR determines critical/non-critical actors based on localized information and designates each critical node with an appropriate backup (preferably non-critical). The pre-designated backup detects the failure of its primary actor and initiates a post-failure recovery process that may involve coordinated multi-actor relocation. To prove the correctness, we construct a formal specification of PCR using Z notation. We model WSAN topology as a dynamic graph and transform PCR to corresponding formal specification using Z notation. Formal specification is analyzed and validated using the Z Eves tool. Moreover, we simulate the specification to quantitatively analyze the efficiency of PCR. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of PCR and the results shown that it outperforms contemporary schemes found in the literature.
Highlights
Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) are envisaged to be a promising technology for mission-critical applications that require autonomous and intelligent interaction with the environment.Examples of such applications include fire detection and containment, disaster management, urban search and rescue (USAR), homeland security, battlefield surveillance, space exploration and nuclear, biological and chemical attack detection and prevention
The performance of Partitioning detection and Connectivity Restoration (PCR) is validated through extensive simulations
We argue that a hybrid approach will better suit autonomous WSANs that are deployed for mission-critical time-sensitive applications due to the reduced recovery time and overhead
Summary
Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSANs) are envisaged to be a promising technology for mission-critical applications that require autonomous and intelligent interaction with the environment Examples of such applications include fire detection and containment, disaster management, urban search and rescue (USAR), homeland security, battlefield surveillance, space exploration and nuclear, biological and chemical attack detection and prevention. These applications are regarded as safety-critical applications because an inappropriate action may have catastrophic consequences such as loss of human life, severe injuries, large-scale environmental damage and considerable economical penalties. The concerned actors receive event notifications, process them and share with peer actors to effectively respond to events such as fires, earthquakes and disasters.
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