Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks: Algorithms and Protocols for Scalable Coordination and Data Communication

1.18 EXPERIENCES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENSOR NETWORK SYSTEMS

In Tanenbaum et al. (2006), authors argue that building sensor systems is a challenging task by discussing several considered scenarios. Monitoring Mexico's borders will be slow and costly for sensors as well as humans nearby. Sensors dropped in enemy territory need to be close to each other (sensing range about 10 m), therefore having a soldier watching the same area might be much more productive. Sensors detecting fire in a forest may not be able to deliver the report because of lifetime issues. Sensors need to be lifted for increased radio range. Sensors placed to monitor certain small regions can be easily activated with false alarms (e.g., by intentionally sending animals nearby).

In Barrenetxea et al. (2008), an efficient and cheap out-of-the-box environmental monitoring system is described. It is a time-driven network where sensors report environmental data (wind speed and direction, soil moisture, temperature, humidity, radiation, precipitation, etc.) to a sink, which in turn relays data to a publicly available database server. A sensing station consists of a four-legged skeleton containing a sensor box (containing a sensor mote as well as primary and secondary batteries) and a solar panel. Close to 100 such stations were deployed in the largest system. The communication stack consists of application, transport, network, and MAC layers as well as a radio medium. The application layer only queries sensors and ...