Mobile robot aided self-deploying wireless sensor networks for radiation leak detection

Abstract

This paper presents a mobile robot aided self deploying wireless sensor network aiming to detect radiation leaks and to measure radiation levels, and explains design considerations to prolong network life. Special attention is given to the factors which are important for the specific requirements of radiation leak detection. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) provide numerous benefits to applications with low duty cycle, such as environmental monitoring, event detection, etc. However, the realization of these potential benefits directly depends on energy efficient and reliable communication and coordination capabilities of the deployed system. In this study, challenges of WSNs, deployment strategies using mobile robots, and energy harvesting techniques to maximize lifetime of WSNs are discussed. Also, a comparison of two different exploration strategies is shown with the results of our own application developed in C#. Main contributions of this study are discussions on mobile robot aided WSN deployment strategies and energy harvesting techniques to maximize WSN lifetime. © 2012 IEEE. © 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.