Toward optimal monitoring of flow-based systems using mobile wireless sensor networks

Mahima Agumbe Suresh, Wei Zhang, Weijiao Gong, Radu Stoleru, Amin Rasekh, M. Katherine Banks

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Monitoring flow-based systems (FBS) (e.g., water distribution systems, oil and gas pipelines, the human cardiovascular system) is of paramount importance considering their economic and health impacts. FBS monitoring typically has been achieved by costly, complex, static sensors that are strategically placed. To reduce the cost of monitoring, we propose a mobile wireless sensor network (WSN) system comprised of mobile sensors (their movement aided by the inherent flow in the FBS) and static beacons that aid in locating sensors. This article presents the first complete architectural design, algorithms, and protocols for optimal monitoring of FBS. Our proposed solution includes sensing and communication models, MAC and group management protocols for sensor and beacon communication, and algorithms for sensor and beacon placement. We compare our proposed solution with the state of the art through extensive simulations and a proof-of-concept system implementation. We demonstrate performance improvements, such as a dramatic reduction (a factor of 91) in the number of sensors when the sensing range is marginally (2.5 times) increased.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)48
Number of pages1
JournalACM Transactions on Sensor Networks
Volume11
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

Keywords

  • Acoustic underwater communication
  • Flow-based systems
  • Mobile wireless sensor networks
  • System design

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications

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