| Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are comprised of multiple, small, inexpensive, static devices capable of forming ad-hoc networks for the purpose of environmental monitoring. Due to environmental factors and randomness of deployment, WSNs are prone to the formation of routing anomalies (a.k.a. routing holes), which can adversely affect network performance.;In this thesis, we examine the underlying problems associated with routing holes and propose a new remedial technique in which mobile nodes are used to bridge the communication gaps created by the routing holes. We introduce a new routing anomaly which we term the microhole---a small imperfection in the routing path that is not classified as a traditional routing hole---and demonstrate the applicability of our technique to even such basic routing imperfection. Expanding on the work done in conjunction with our colleagues, we apply our technique to a scenario where a routing hole is impacted by multiple, variable-rate, data streams. Specifically, we propose OPlaMoN-2---"Optimal Placement of a Mobile Node-2" distributed algorithm, which is aimed at finding the most effective deployment location (with respect to a combined, weighted, energy-delay performance metric) of a mobile-bridge inside a routing hole.;Finally, we simulate our theoretical findings as further proof of correctness and appropriateness of our technique and present our conclusions and some of the directions for possible future work. |
