UNIT 4

Basics of Wireless, Sensors and Lower

Layer Issue
• Basics of Wireless, Sensors and Lower Layer Issues
• Wireless sensor networks Sensor network are highly
distributed lightweight nodes, deployed in large number of to
monitor the environment or system.
• Sensor nodes are fitted with on board processor.
• Sensor nodes sensor subsystem, processing system,
communication system.
• Sensor networks are highly distributed networks of small,
lightweight wireless node, deployed in large numbers to
monitor the environment or system.

• Each node of the sensor networks consist of three subsystem:

– Sensor subsystem: senses the environment
– Processing subsystem: performs local computations on the
sensed data
– Communication subsystem: responsible for message
exchange with neighboring sensor nodes

• The features of sensor nodes

– Limited sensing region, processing power, energy
• The advantage of sensor networks
– Robust : a large number of sensors
– Reliable :
– Accurate : sensor networks covering a wider region
– Fault-tolerant : many nodes are sensing the same event
• Two important operations in a sensor networks
– Data dissemination : the propagation of data/queries throughout the
network
– Data gathering : the collection of observed data from the individual
sensor nodes to a sink
• The different types of sensors
– Seismic, thermal, visual, infrared
• Different from Ad Hoc wireless networks

– The number of nodes in sensor network is larger than the

number of nodes in an ad hoc network.
– Sensor nodes are more easy to failure and energy drain, and
their battery sources are usually not replaceable or
rechargeable.
– Sensor nodes may not have unique global identifiers (ID),
so unique addressing is not always suitable in sensor
networks.
• Sensor networks are data-centric, the queries in sensor
networks are addressed to nodes which have data satisfying
some conditions. Ad Hoc networks are address-centric, with
queries addressed to particular nodes specified by their unique
address.
Characteristics of Wireless Sensor Network

The characteristics of WSN include the following.

● The consumption of Power limits for nodes with batteries

● Capacity to handle with node failures
● Some mobility of nodes and Heterogeneity of nodes
● Scalability to large scale of distribution
● Capability to ensure strict environmental conditions
● Simple to use
● Cross-layer design
• Power Consumption Limits for Nodes with Batteries:
• Since most WSNs are powered by batteries, efficient energy consumption is
critical. Sensor nodes must be designed to minimize power usage, extend
battery life, and manage energy harvesting or low-power operation modes to
optimize network performance.
• Capacity to Handle Node Failures:
• WSNs are designed to be robust and fault-tolerant, able to continue functioning
even when individual sensor nodes fail. This requires strategies for fault
detection, data recovery, and network reconfiguration to ensure reliability
despite node malfunctions.
• Mobility of Nodes and Heterogeneity of Nodes:
• Mobility: Some WSNs may incorporate mobile sensor nodes, which introduces
additional challenges for network topology management, routing protocols, and
data consistency.
• Heterogeneity: Different nodes may have varying capabilities (e.g., processing
power, communication range, energy resources). WSNs must efficiently handle
these differences to optimize network performance.
• Scalability to Large-Scale Distribution:
• A WSN must be able to scale efficiently as the number of nodes increases.
This includes managing large amounts of data, coordinating multiple
nodes, and ensuring that network performance does not degrade
significantly as the network grows.
• Capability to Ensure Strict Environmental Conditions:
• Many WSNs are deployed in harsh environments (e.g., in remote locations,
under water, in industrial settings). They must be capable of withstanding
challenging conditions like extreme temperatures, humidity, vibrations, or
corrosive substances.
• Simple to Use:
• A key characteristic of WSNs is their ease of deployment and operation.
The system should be user-friendly, requiring minimal intervention and
configuration. This includes automatic network setup, simple interfaces,
and ease of integration with existing systems.
• Cross-Layer Design:
• A cross-layer design in WSNs refers to the integrated design across
different layers (e.g., physical, network, application) to optimize overall
system performance. For instance, the routing protocol may work in
conjunction with the power management scheme to balance energy
consumption and communication efficiency.
Advantages of Wireless Sensor Networks

The advantages of WSN include the following

● Network arrangements can be carried out without immovable

infrastructure.
● Apt for the non-reachable places like mountains, over the sea, rural
areas and deep forests.
● Flexible if there is a casual situation when an additional workstation
is required.
● Execution pricing is inexpensive.
● It avoids plenty of wiring.
● It might provide accommodations for the new devices at any time.
● It can be opened by using a centralized monitoring.
• Network Arrangements Without Immovable Infrastructure:
• WSNs do not require fixed infrastructure, like wired networks or base
stations, which makes them highly adaptable and flexible. Nodes can be
deployed anywhere, and the network can be easily set up without the need
for extensive groundwork or permanent installations.
• Apt for Non-Reachable Places (Mountains, Over the Sea, Rural Areas,
Deep Forests):
• WSNs are perfect for remote or inaccessible locations. In areas like
mountains, forests, oceans, or rural regions, setting up traditional networks
is difficult. Wireless sensor networks can function in these environments,
collecting data without the need for physical access or infrastructure.
• Flexible in Casual Situations When Additional Workstations Are
Required:
• WSNs are highly scalable. If additional sensor nodes or workstations are
needed, they can be added easily to the existing network without much
hassle. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in dynamic environments
where requirements may change quickly.
• Execution Pricing is Inexpensive:
• The cost of deploying and maintaining WSNs is typically lower than
traditional networks. This is because there’s no need for costly
infrastructure (e.g., cables, routers) or specialized hardware. Many WSNs
are made up of low-cost sensor nodes and are designed for affordable and
efficient operation.
• Avoids Plenty of Wiring:
• A significant advantage of WSNs is the absence of complex wiring.
Traditional networks require extensive cabling, which is expensive, labor-
intensive, and prone to physical damage. WSNs, being wireless, eliminate
the need for such wiring, reducing setup and maintenance costs.
• Can Accommodate New Devices at Any Time:
• Adding new devices to a WSN is straightforward. Since the network
operates wirelessly, new sensor nodes or devices can be added dynamically
without interrupting the functioning of the existing network. This makes it
easy to expand or update the network over time.
• Can Be Monitored Using Centralized Monitoring:
• WSNs allow for centralized monitoring and control. This means that all the
sensor data can be collected and analyzed from a central location, making
it easier to manage and maintain the network. Centralized monitoring also
facilitates quick responses to any network issues or failures.
• Sensor Network Architecture

• The two basic kinds of sensor network architecture

– Layered Architecture

– Clustered Architecture
• A Layered Architecture
• A layered architecture has a single powerful base station (BS),
and the layers of sensor nodes around it correspond to the
nodes that have the same distance to the BS.
• The BS acts an access point to a wired network, and small
nodes form a wireless backbone to provide wireless
connectivity.
• The advantage of a layered architecture is that each node is
involved only in short-distance, low-power transmissions to
nodes of the neighboring layers.
• A Layered Architecture
• Clustered Architecture
• A clustered architecture organizes the sensor nodes into
clusters, each governed by a cluster-head.
• The nodes in each cluster are involved in message exchanges
with their cluster-heads, and these heads send message to a
BS.
• Clustered architecture is useful for sensor networks because of
its inherent suitability for data fusion.
• The data gathered by all member of the cluster can be fused at
the cluster-head, and only the resulting information needs to be
communicated to the BS.
• Clustered architecture