Void Avoidance Node Deployment Strategy for Underwater Sensor Networks

Abstract

Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) play a�major role in many aquatic applications. Underwater sensors were deployed over a given three-dimensional area. Dynamic and unpredictable nature of the underwater environment is resulting in void communications, interrupting�the flow of data to the sink node. Sensor nodes, which are part of void communications are called void nodes, and in multi-hop communication nodes depend on void which are called trap. Any deployed node can become a void or trap not only after their deployment but also during their initial deployment. Most popularly used random deployment strategy in UWSNs always results in the many voids and traps. To countermeasure, the shortfall additional nodes are deployed, which may result in still worse condition. The first objective of this paper is highlighting void and trap node problems in random deployment strategy. In the second objective, we are proposing a systematic way of sensor node deployment that overcomes void and trap problems arising in random deployment in UWSNs. Through the MATLAB simulation drawbacks of random and benefits of systematic deployment strategies are demonstrated using a count of void & trap nodes, volume of the area covered, and count of retained void & traps. � 2020, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.