A Zoning Strategy for Uniform Deployed Chain-Type Wireless Sensor Network in Underground Coal Mine Tunnel

In order to be more suitable for underground coal mine tunnel, network models for chain-type wireless sensor network are built, and a 3D uniformed network deployment method is proposed firstly in this paper. Then, a zoning method composed of energy balance strategy and cluster head election strategy is discussed, which is quite different from the commonly used hierarchy and cluster strategy. Finally, the performances of the zoning strategy are evaluated. The results show that, there is a trade-off among number of zones, network latency and network life. It is also shows that, appropriately zoning will prolong network life and achieve the required network performances.