Exploiting Node Mobility for Wireless Sensor Networks

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science and Engineering


PhD Thesis Defence


Title: "Exploiting Node Mobility for Wireless Sensor Networks"

By

Mr. Ji Luo


Abstract

A fundamental evolution is witnessed in recent research and development of 
wireless sensor networks: the capabilities of the sensor nodes have gone 
broader beyond a static sensing device; and now they include node mobility. In 
this thesis, we present our current research status on exploiting node mobility 
in wireless sensor networks. We first investigate the impact of node mobility 
on localization which is the fundamental issue in mobile sensor networks. By 
leveraging different types of relative distance constraints, we propose a 
distributed and range-free Mobile Inequality Localization (MIL) algorithm, 
which is quickly re-localizable when all sensors are moving uncontrollably. 
With location awareness, we further analyze several unique issues in mobile 
sensor networks. One issue is about the coverage with mobile sensor nodes. By 
introducing the concept of probabilistic coverage, we develop a basic platform 
to provide the real-time coverage status for a given region. In addition, we 
address a double-mobility problem in coverage and propose a distributed 
protocol SSC to collaborate between controllable and uncontrollable mobility to 
maintain the coverage. The other issue is about the event collection. By 
leveraging the spatial-temporal correlation of events, we propose an online 
scheme for mobile nodes to selectively collect event information. We also 
present an intelligent approach to design feasible path for mobile sinks. To 
examine the assumption of link feature in our work with real trace-data, we 
conduct a comprehensive measurement study to understand and model the link 
feature with node distance and nearby environment. The interesting observations 
verify and support the assumption in our theoretical works and also provide 
potential direction to better design the related upper-layer algorithms and 
protocols for sensor applications.


Date:			Wednesday, 11 August 2010

Time:			2:00pm – 4:00pm

Venue:			Room 3501
 			Lifts 25/26

Chairman:		Prof. Vincent Lau (ECE)

Committee Members:	Prof. Qian Zhang (Supervisor)
 			Prof. Lin Gu
 			Prof. Lionel Ni
                         Prof. Roger Cheng (ECE)
                         Prof. Jian-nong Cao (Computing, PolyU)


**** ALL are Welcome ****