An Optimize-Aware Target Tracking Method Combining MAC Layer and Active Nodes in Wireless Sensor Networks

Target tracking applications are very popular in wireless sensor networks (WSN) as they can be used in industrial, healthcare, smart home, etc. This study proposes a method for reducing energy consumption in WSNs, considering target tracking. A prediction method is also presented using a combination of Medium Access Control layer and active modes to track the target while the rest of nodes are sleep. Nodes in network are categorized into target detection, target monitoring, and off modes. When target enters the environment, other available nodes sense it and change their situation into detection mode. Proposed method reduces energy consumption by decreasing number of involved nodes in target tracking and activating merely a limited number of necessary nodes. Target tracking continues as long as target is visible through representative nodes which are two closest nodes to the target. The conducted experiments using NS2 simulator and MATLAB represent higher performance of proposed algorithm compared to similar studies. The evaluation metrics are energy consumption, number of involved nodes and system throughput. This means the proposed method is superior and more efficient.