Information theory-based location of sensor nodes: what is optimal?

In this work we look at the use of information theory for the optimal placement of sensors in a monitoring network. We look at some existing approaches and discuss 1) the formulation of information-theoretical objective functions in the single- or multi-objective optimization problem. 2) The numerical implementation calculating multivariate measures of redundancy, and its implications for the networks found. A related question is that of information based vs value based objectives. Lastly, we discuss experimental set-ups to evaluate and update monitoring network layouts in a new hydrological observatory deployment for a drought study in a drinking supply watershed near Vancouver, BC, Canada.