On coverage issues in directional sensor networks: A survey

Abstract

The coverage optimization problem has been examined thoroughly for omni-directional sensor networks in the past decades. However, the coverage problem in directional sensor networks (DSN) has newly taken attraction, especially with the increasing number of wireless multimedia sensor network (WMSN) applications. Directional sensor nodes equipped with ultrasound, infrared, and video sensors differ from traditional omni-directional sensor nodes with their unique characteristics, such as angle of view, working direction, and line of sight (LoS) properties. Therefore, DSN applications require specific solutions and techniques for coverage enhancement. In this survey article, we mainly aim at categorizing available coverage optimization solutions and survey their problem definitions, assumptions, contributions, complexities and performance results. We categorize available studies about coverage enhancement into four categories. Target-based coverage enhancement, area-based coverage enhancement, coverage enhancement with guaranteed connectivity, and network lifetime prolonging. We define sensing models, design issues and challenges for directional sensor networks and describe their (dis)similarities to omni-directional sensor networks. We also give some information on the physical capabilities of directional sensors available on the market. Moreover, we specify the (dis)advantages of motility and mobility in terms of the coverage and network lifetime of DSNs.