Genetic algorithm-based meta-heuristic for target coverage problem

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), network lifetime and energy consumption are two important parameters which directly impacts each other. In order to enhance the global network lifetime, one should need to utilise the available sensors' energy in an optimise way. There are several approaches discussed in the literature to maximise the network lifetime for well-known target coverage problem in WSN. The target coverage problem is presented as a maximum network lifetime problem (MLP) and solved heuristically using various approaches. In this study, the authors propose a genetic algorithm (GA)-based meta-heuristic to solve the above said MLP. The GA is a non-linear optimisation solution method which is proven to be better as compared to the column generation or approximation schemes.