Tracking objects using hexagons in sensor networks

The authors propose a communication scheme for collaboration groups to track objects in a sensor network. Inside a group, sensors are clustered dynamically to help group communication. Each cluster is a geographical hexagon area. Since tracking objects does not necessarily need all sensors to be running, the authors propose a local communication protocol to deal with object tracking. The authors design a data transmission route for the sensors communication. Using the hexagonal clustering idea, the authors can save power in collaboration groups for tracking objects. However, the cluster area affects the energy usage in object tracking. The authors optimise the size of cluster area to minimise energy consumption and show related analysis about finding the optimal hexagonal edge. In addition, the authors use dynamic clustering to handle the ping-pong effect resulting from targets shifting between different clusters. The simulation results show better performance than other communication schemes.