Research on Optimal Coverage Problem of Wireless Sensor Networks

In a wireless sensor network, the size of radio nodes has direct relation to the cost of total wireless sensor networks, and at the same time, the problem is closely connected to wireless sensor networks´ performance, such as robust, fault-tolerance, and further more, it is considered at first as wireless sensor networks are designed. Therefore, the research on the size of radio nodes has significant meanings of theory and practice to design of wireless sensor networks. The paper simplifies complex coverage problem step by step. By means of math modeling, theoretical analysis and formula deducting, classical geometric theories and the method of mathematics induction are adopted, at last, the analysis formula of minimum number of nodes is theoretically educed under circumstances of entire and seamless coverage in WSN. In addition, it is worth mentioning that the conclusion is the full same with computing the number of communication nodes of wireless sensor networks.