Coverage improvement in clustered wireless sensor networks by relocating mobile nodes based on waypoints

Achieving effective coverage and efficient clustering of sensor nodes are important aspects of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper we present a novel approach for achieving improvement in both aspects in an integrated manner. Coverage improvement is done based on information exchange by clusters with relocation of mobile nodes between the clusters. Mobile nodes are guided by waypoints between source and destination clusters without use of localization services. The simulation results have been presented which state the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Mobile node relocation has been done in such a way that they could volunteer as future cluster head (CH) and this has been justified by the simulation results. This paper stresses the requirement for considering both coverage and clustering in an integrated manner and proposes a sequential process for WSNs to be followed after initial deployment for effective operation.