WSN Coverage & Connectivity Improvement Utilizing Sensors Mobility

Mobility in Wireless Sensor Networks may significantly affect the network performance. This paper proposes distributed algorithm that improves the network coverage and connectivity, performing controlled reorganization of mobile sensor nodes (C2 algorithm). The algorithm initially organizes the network in a clustered topology, assuming hexagonal grid structure. The Cluster Heads are positioned in the centres of hexagonal cells designed according the nodes transmission range. The C2 reorganizes the sensor nodes between the adjacent hexagonal cells and equally distributes them within the cells, thus improving the network coverage and providing more uniform energy utilization. The algorithm chooses the optimal nodes to perform the movements, maintaining the connectivity between the sensor nodes and minimizing the energy that the nodes consume for their movement. The simulation results show the benefits of the proposed algorithm implementation for coverage and connectivity improvement in a homogeneous WSN.