A boundary approximation algorithm for distributed sensor networks. (8th July 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ham, M.I.; Rodriguez, M.A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of sensor networks. Volume 8:Number 1(2010)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2010-07-08
• Subjects: boundary detection -- low bandwidth communication -- wireless sensor networks -- WSNs -- boundary approximation -- wireless networks -- remote monitoring -- Delaunay triangulations -- Voronoi diagrams -- distributed networks; Sensor networks -- Periodicals; 681.2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-1279

Abstract

We present an algorithm for boundary approximation in locally linked sensor networks that communicate with a remote monitoring station. Delaunay triangulations and Voronoi diagrams are used to generate a sensor communication network and define boundary segments between sensors, respectively. The proposed algorithm reduces remote station communication by approximating boundaries via a decentralised computation executed within the network. Moreover, the algorithm identifies boundaries based on differences between neighbouring sensor readings, not absolute sensor values. An analysis of the bandwidth consumption of the algorithm is presented and compared to two naive approaches. The proposed algorithm reduces the amount of remote communication (compared to the naive approaches) and becomes increasingly useful in networks with more nodes.