Self-organizing sensor networks for integrated target surveillance

Self-organization is critical for a distributed wireless sensor network due to the spontaneous and random deployment of a large number of sensor nodes over a remote area. Such a network is often characterized by its abilities to form an organizational structure without much centralized intervention. An important design goal for a smart sensor network is to be able have an energy-efficient, self-organized configuration of sensor nodes that can scan, detect, and track targets of interest in a distributed manner. In this paper, we propose a novel self-organization protocol and describe other relevant, indigenous building blocks that can be combined to build integrated surveillance applications for self-organized sensor networks. Experiments in both simulated and real-world platforms indicate that this protocol can be useful for tracking targets that follow a predictable course.