A Bi-objective Genetic Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Network Optimization

Abstract

When designing a wireless sensor network several performance metrics should be considered, e.g., network lifetime, target coverage, sensor energy consumption. As a rule, these metrics are in conflict with each other, which means that by optimizing some of them we worsen the others. Designing the network is therefore a problem of multi-objective optimization. In this work, we propose a bi-objective genetic algorithm that optimizes network lifetime and target coverage. We consider two variants of the algorithm, in which the fitness function comprises only the network lifetime, or where it includes both, the network lifetime and target coverage. This makes it possible to find a trade-off between these two objectives. In-depth experimental studies are carried out for both variants of the algorithm.