415 Wireless Sensor Network Coverage

Key Concepts

Coverage: The degree to which the monitored area is within sensing range of deployed sensor nodes
K-Coverage: Every point covered by at least K sensors for redundancy and fault tolerance
Coverage Types: Area (continuous region), Point (discrete locations), Barrier (perimeter detection)
OGDC: Optimal Geographical Density Control algorithm for distributed coverage optimization
Zhang-Hou Theorem: If Rc >= 2Rs, coverage implies connectivity

415.1 Chapter Overview

Coverage is fundamental to wireless sensor networks, determining how effectively the sensing field is monitored. This topic is organized into five focused chapters covering theory, algorithms, and practical implementations.

This chapter series explores:

Coverage fundamentals, connectivity, and deployment strategies
Three coverage problem types: area, point, and barrier
Algorithms: crossing theory, OGDC, and virtual force
Hands-on labs and Python implementations
Comprehensive knowledge checks and worked examples

415.2 Chapter Navigation

Chapter Series: WSN Coverage

This topic has been organized into focused chapters for easier learning:

Chapter	Topics	Time
1. Coverage Fundamentals	Definitions, Zhang-Hou theorem, deployment strategies, algorithm taxonomy	~12 min
2. Coverage Types	Area coverage, point coverage, barrier coverage, k-coverage	~15 min
3. Coverage Algorithms	Crossing theory, OGDC algorithm, virtual force	~15 min
4. Coverage Implementations	Hands-on labs, Python code, deployment optimization	~20 min
5. Coverage Review	Quizzes, worked examples, visual gallery, summary	~15 min

Recommended path: Start with Fundamentals, then proceed through Types, Algorithms, and Implementations. Use Review for self-assessment.

415.3 Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter series, you will be able to:

Define Coverage and Connectivity: Understand the Zhang-Hou theorem relating sensing and communication ranges
Select Coverage Types: Choose area, point, or barrier coverage based on application requirements
Apply OGDC: Implement distributed coverage algorithms achieving 95%+ coverage with 40-60% active sensors
Design K-Coverage Systems: Calculate sensor requirements for fault-tolerant deployments
Optimize Deployments: Balance coverage quality against energy consumption and cost

415.4 Prerequisites

Before starting this series, you should be familiar with:

WSN Overview: Fundamentals: Basic WSN concepts and constraints
Sensor Fundamentals: Sensing range characteristics
Networking Basics: Network topology concepts

415.5 Quick Reference

Key Formulas:

Formula	Description
Rc >= 2Rs	Zhang-Hou theorem: coverage implies connectivity
d = sqrt(3) x Rs	OGDC optimal triangular lattice spacing
N = ceil(L / 2Rs)	Minimum sensors for 1-barrier coverage
K-coverage	Tolerates (K-1) sensor failures

Coverage Type Selection:

Application	Coverage Type	Example
Environmental monitoring	Area	Temperature across field
Infrastructure monitoring	Point	Valves, junctions
Security/intrusion	Barrier	Perimeter detection
Critical systems	K-coverage	Hospital, nuclear

415.6 Start Learning

Ready to begin? Start with the fundamentals:

Begin with Coverage Fundamentals - Learn coverage definitions, the Zhang-Hou theorem, and deployment strategies.