Using gradient descent to optimize paths for sustaining wireless sensor networks

A structural-health wireless sensor network (WSN) should last for decades, but traditional disposable batteries cannot sustain such a network. Energy is the major impediment to sustainability of WSNs. Most energy is consumed by (i) wireless transmissions of perceived data, and (ii) long-distance multi-hop transmissions from the source sensors to the sink. This paper explores how to exploit emerging wireless power transfer technology by using robotic unmanned vehicles (UVs) to service the WSNs. These UVs cut data transmissions from long to short-distances, collect sensed information, and replenish WSN's energy. This paper presents path-planning and path optimization algorithms for sustaining WSNs.