Optimised random structure vehicular sensor network

Abstract

Providing proper coverage is one of the main applications of wireless sensor networks. In many working environments, it is necessary to take advantage of mobile sensor networks (MSNs), with the capability of having cooperation between sensor nodes and moving into appropriate positions, to provide the required coverage. However, in some applications such as intelligent transport system (ITS), where sensors are applied in complex dense urban environments, traditional MSN cannot properly cover the defined area. In this study, the authors study the use of a few unreserved selected cars as a vehicular sensor network (VSN) to cover a defined area and in this scenario, the sensors movements are assumed to be random from the network viewpoint. In the proposed random structure VSN, the coverage property is managed and controlled by introducing a suggested method for resource allocation and coverage control based on the real vehicle mobility model. Major advantages of this VSN are considering the real car mobility model, compatibility with the deployed infrastructure and processing simplicity and efficiency. The implementation results of suggested method verify the analytical results that are mentioned in the simulation section.