Abstract: Against path optimization problem for wireless sensor network (WSN), this paper proposes a path optimization for WSN based on improved ant colony algorithm by combining with the advantages of genetic algorithm and ant colony algorithm and introducing the genetic algorithm selection, crossover and mutation operators into ant colony algorithm to improve the algorithm’s capability of convergence and global search. Simulation experimental results show that the improved ant colony algorithm improves WSN routing efficiency and success rate, prolongs the survival time of network and improves the overall network performance.

Key words: wireless sensor network, ant colony algorithm, genetic algorithm, path optimization