Relay node deployment for wireless sensor networks using evolutionary multi-objective algorithm

In this paper, we study the relay node placement problem of, given a deployment of sensor nodes, finding the minimum number of relay nodes to increase the lifetime and reduce the deployment costs of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) simultaneously. In particular, we use the average remaining energy of the relay nodes to express the lifetimes of the WSNs. Due to the conflict of the average remaining time and deployment costs of relay nodes, we first formulate the relay node placement problem as a multi-objective optimisation problem, which is difficult to address using traditional methods. Based on this, a novel evolutionary multi-objective algorithm is presented to solve the problem. Furthermore, a local search method is presented to improve the convergence of the algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed relay node placement scheme can efficiently reduce the cost and increase the lifetime. Copyright © 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.