Matrix computational framework for discrete event control of wireless sensor networks with some mobile agents

This paper presents a discrete-event controller (DEC) for the coordination of cooperating heterogeneous wireless sensors, namely unattended ground sensors and mobile robots. It describes a new method for efficient computer aided control design of a wireless sensor network. The DEC sequences the most suitable tasks for each agent according to the current perception of the environment. A novel matrix formulation makes the assignment of the mission planning straightforward and easily adaptable if agents or applications change. The matrices are direct to write down given the sequence rules for a given task. Priority rules for efficiently dispatching shared resources and handling simultaneous missions can also be easily taken into account. This architecture holds out the hope to endow a wireless sensor network with efficient self-organization mechanisms in order to accomplish a broad range of different missions in a variety of scenarios. The matrix formulation also provides a straightforward technique for computer simulation of DE systems. Simulation examples are presented to show the effectiveness and versatility of the proposed control architecture