An improved visual force algorithm for node deployment strategy in wireless sensor network

The effectiveness of cluster-based distributed sensor networks depends to a large extent on the coverage provided by the sensor deployment. In this paper, an improved visual forces based sensor deployment algorithm, namely URE-VFA (Uncovered Region Exploration and Visual Force Algorithm), is proposed to enhance the coverage after an initial random deployment of sensors. The new algorithm decides a new location on not only the combination of attractive and repulsive forces but the uncovered region around sensors. Once the effective sensor positions are identified, a onetime movement with energy consideration incorporated is carried out, i.e., the sensors are redeployed to these positions. Compared with the performance of VFA, the new algorithm provides better coverage than that by VFA in less number of iterations with the same number of sensor nodes. Compared with that of UREA, new algorithm reduces the average mobile distance of nodes so as to save energy consumption. The simulation shows this algorithm provides better coverage than that by VFA, and it reduces power consumption.