Exploration of linear wireless sensor networks and simulation tools for underwater pipelines monitoring networks

Abstract

In the current technological age, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) comprising of featured intelligent devices have become a dominant technology in the underwater environment. Being cost effective in nature, WSN consumes less energy for sensing and communication processes. Besides, WSNs also make use of minimum infrastructure in order to execute its common applications in pipeline monitoring, surveillance, and environment monitoring. While as far as Linear Wireless Sensor Network (LWSN) architecture is concerned, it requires special topology in which all sensors are placed in a linear form specifying and differentiating it from other WSNs. For underwater pipeline monitoring environment, there is no such complete 3D simulation tool to analyze different techniques so as to compare the visual results with the help of specific simulation parameters. The purpose of this study is therefore, to explore LWSN technology based on characteristics like pipeline monitoring issues, specification, and simulation tools. Moreover, various 3D environments like underwater, underground, above-ground LWSN properties and challenges are discussed. We have also compared the existing simulation tools with respect to different GUIs, and environments along with pipeline monitoring techniques being classified into different groups with respect to different kinds of simulation environments and evaluation methods. This investigation is expected to contribute towards advancements in network deployment for 3D underwater pipeline monitoring, and comprehensive 3D simulation tool development. It will prove helpful as well to the future researchers in visualizing and analyzing pipeline monitoring and simulation approaches.