Architecture and Reliability Models of Hybrid Sensor Networks for Environmental and Emergency Monitoring Systems

The authors have investigated the aspects of developing hybrid sensor networks as subsystems of environmental and emergency monitoring systems for critical infrastructure and analyzing their operability. They have proposed a hybrid sensor network architecture based on Edge Computing (EC) technology, which combines stationary and mobile components. The first component relies on a ground sensor network (GSN), and the second one comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle swarm forming a flying EC network. The authors have analyzed algorithms for data collection, scalability issues, and optimizing the operation of GSN and entire monitoring systems. Reliability models of GSN under conditions of failure of individual sensors or sensor groups are developed and investigated. The authors have obtained the analytical dependences of reliability indicators on the sizes of sensor failure clusters and their intensity. The authors have provided recommendations for designing and implementing hybrid sensor networks.