The environment modeling algorithm named rectangular decomposition, which is composed of cellular nodes and interleaving networks, is proposed. The principle of environment modeling is to divide the environment into individual square sub-areas. Each sub-area is orientated by the central point of the sub-areas called a node. The rectangular map based on the square map can enlarge the square area side size to increase the coverage efficiency in the case of there being an adjacent obstacle. Based on this algorithm, a new coverage algorithm, which includes global path planning and local path planning, is introduced. In the global path planning, uncovered subspaces are found by using a special rule. A one-dimensional array P, which is used to obtain the searching priority of node in every direction, is defined as the search rule. The array P includes the condition of coverage towards the adjacent cells, the condition of connectivity and the priorities defined by the user in all eight directions. In the local path planning, every sub-area is covered by using template models according to the shape of the environment. The simulation experiments show that the coverage algorithm is simple, efficient and adapted for complex two- dimensional environments.
