Variable-power scheduling for perpetual target coverage in energy harvesting wireless sensor networks

We study perpetual target coverage with an energy harvesting wireless sensor network (WSN) assuming that each sensor can modulate its sensing range by dynamically varying its operating power, e.g., radar sensors. In this variable-power scheduling scenario, we first consider the maximum network lifetime problem for battery-powered WSNs. The solution to this problem allows us to decide if a given energy harvesting WSN is capable of perpetual operation satisfying energy neutrality. Then, we formulate the energy efficient perpetual target coverage problem and prove its NP completeness. A polynomial algorithm is proposed, and its effectiveness is validated through extensive numerical simulations.