Differential forms for target tracking and aggregate queries in distributed networks

Consider mobile targets moving in a plane and their movements being monitored by a network such as a field of sensors. We develop distributed algorithms for in-network tracking and range queries for aggregated data (for example returning the number of targets within any user given region). Our scheme stores the target detection information locally in the network, and answers a query by examining the perimeter of the given range. The cost of updating data about mobile targets is proportional to the target displacement. The key insight is to maintain in the sensor network a function with respect to the target detection data on the graph edges that is a differential one-form such that the integral of this one-form along any closed curve C gives the integral within the region bounded by C. The differential one-form has great flexibility making it appropriate for tracking mobile targets. The basic range query can be used to find a nearby target or any given identifiable target with cost O(...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: MOBICOM
• Authors: Rik Sarkar, Jie Gao
• Keywords: Communications, MOBICOM 2010, Mobile Targets, Target Detection, Target Detection Data