Application of an Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm on Coverage Optimization of Sensor

The wireless sensor network (WSN) is an essential technology of the Internet of Things (IoT) but has the problem of low coverage due to the uneven distribution of sensor nodes. This paper proposes a novel enhanced whale optimization algorithm (WOA), incorporating Lévy flight and a genetic algorithm optimization mechanism (WOA-LFGA). The Lévy flight technique bolsters the global search ability and convergence speed of the WOA, while the genetic optimization mechanism enhances its local search and random search capabilities. WOA-LFGA is tested with 29 mathematical optimization problems and a WSN coverage optimization model. Simulation results demonstrate that the improved algorithm is highly competitive compared with mainstream algorithms. Moreover, the practicality and the effectiveness of the improved algorithm in optimizing wireless sensor network coverage are confirmed.