Systems and methods for characterizing the coverage of ad hoc sensor networks

• US 20050134499A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Majandro LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center, Inc. (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Liu, Juan, Koutsoukos, Xenofon
• Granted Patent: US 7,091,902 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/75
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0289 of multiple transceivers, e.g. in ad hoc networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

The systems and methods according to this invention disclose that coverage for an ad hoc sensor network is fundamental to the deployment and utilization of such networks. The invention provides a method which characterizes the coverage of an ad hoc sensor network by defining a sensing field over the space within which the physical phenomenon of interest occurs. Its value at any given point reflects the ability of the sensor network to estimate the phenomenon and/or event, of interest at this point. A statistical method is presented to determine such a field based on sensor layouts and sensor models. The system and methods of the invention define well monitored regions and sensor holes, information that can be used to characterize the quality of service that the network provides for different applications. A graphical user interface may be provided to display this information to the user for monitoring in health management of the network. The systems and methods of the invention apply to fixed as well as mobile sensors.

Claims

1. A method of selecting a network sensor arrangement for detecting at least one physical phenomenon based on a quality characterization, comprising:

defining a sensing field at each point in the domain of the at least one physical phenomenon;

determining well monitored regions and sensor holes in each sensing field;

determining a quality characterization of the network sensor arrangement for various applications;

visually displaying the quality characterization; and

selecting at least one sensor network arrangement based on the quality characterization.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing field at each sensor node is defined based on an inverse relationship between event location uncertainty and the ability to sense at least one physical phenomenon at that location.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing field at each sensor node is defined based on a goodness of fit of statistical assumptions about a physical state of each sensor node.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining blind spots in each sensing field.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the event location comprises target location.

4. A system for selecting a network sensor arrangement based on a quality characterization, comprising:

a sensing application, circuit or routine that defines a sensing field at each node of the network sensor arrangement;

a determination application, circuit or routine that determines well monitored regions and sensor holes in the network sensor arrangement;

a characterization application, circuit or routine that determines a quality characterization of the network sensor arrangement for various applications;

a display device that visually displays the quality characterization; and

a selection application, circuit or routine that selects a network sensor arrangement based on the quality characterization.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensing application, circuit or routine defines the sensing field at each sensor node based on an inverse relationship between event location uncertainty and the sensing ability of sensor network.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensing application, circuit or routine defines the sensing field at each sensor node based on a goodness of fit of statistical assumptions about a physical state of each sensor node.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein the event location comprises target location.

7. A method of determining the health of a sensor network, comprising:

a sensing mechanism that defines a sensing field at each node of the network sensor arrangement;

a determination mechanism that determines well monitored regions and sensor holes in the network sensor arrangement;

a characterization mechanism that determines a quality characterization of the network sensor arrangement for various applications;

a display device that visually displays the quality characterization; and

a mechanism that selects a network sensor arrangement based on the quality characterization.