Lightweight target tracking protocol using ad-hoc sensor network

In this paper, we present a protocol, lightweight target tracking protocol using ad-hoc sensor network, for one of the most likely applications of sensor networks: tracking moving targets. The protocol uses a clustering based approach for scalability and a prediction based tracking mechanism to provide a distributed and energy efficient solution. The protocol is robust against node or prediction failures that may result in temporary loss of the target and recovers from such scenarios quickly and with very little additional energy use. Analysis regarding the protocol's performance and energy consumption is presented. We use simulation to examine the protocol's necessary handover frequency and the target loss rate.