Mobile target tracking algorithm for wireless camera sensor networks with adjustable monitoring direction of nodes

Summary Wireless camera sensor networks (WCSNs) possess a powerful physical environment monitoring capability. Camera nodes with adjustable monitoring directions further improve their flexibility. This study focuses on tracking multiple mobile targets to investigate the node scheduling and target location evaluation strategy of WCSNs on the basis of rotating nodes. By referring to existing research, this study improves the camera node monitoring and rotation model and proposes three network performance evaluation indicators. The proposed algorithm schedules nodes and their monitoring directions by using the unutilized energy of the nodes and the number of monitored targets. It also predicts the moving trends of the targets and selects active nodes by using the locations and linear speeds of the targets. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has a high target tracking accuracy. Compared with traditional target tracking algorithms, the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the number of active nodes, balance the energy consumption between nodes, and prolong network lifetime.