An Availability Metric and Optimization Algorithms for Simultaneous Coverage of Targets and Areas by Wireless Visual Sensor Networks

The maturation of Wireless Visual Sensor Networks (WVSN) in the last years, with new communication technologies and continuous releasing of embedded hardware development platforms, has significantly enlarged the number and relevance of visual monitoring applications, better supporting smart city and Internet of Things initiatives. However, there are still several challenges to be addressed, especially when visual sensors are used for critical monitoring. When availability issues are addressed in WVSN, different metrics and algorithms can be employed, but such approaches are usually focused on a single coverage goal. Actually, some monitoring applications may want to simultaneously optimize coverage over targets and areas alike, which requires an appropriate perception of the level of availability of the application at any given time. In this context, this article proposes a new availability metric for WVSN, considering that all targets and areas should be optimally and simultaneously covered by the cameras. In addition, optimization algorithms are proposed and compared, aiming at improving the availability of applications when rotatable visual sensors are employed.