Sana’a University

Faculty of Engineering
Telecom Master Program

Wireless Sensor Networks

Lecture # 1 Introduction and Overview of Wireless Sensor Networks
Prof. Dr. Eng./ Abdulsalam Alkholidi
[email protected]
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abdulsalam_Alkholidi/research
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=j2V6hIEAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Fall Semester, 2024/2025, Sana`a, Yemen

 Introduction: Definitions

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) refer to networks of spatially dispersed and

dedicated sensors that monitor and record the physical conditions of the
environment and forward the collected data to a central location. WSNs can
measure environmental conditions such as temperature, sound, pollution
levels, humidity and wind, etc.

Nowadays an efficient design of a Wireless Sensor Network has become a number

one area of research. A Wireless Sensor Network is a technology that responds and
detects some kind of input from both the physical or environmental conditions, like
heat, pressure, light, etc.

The output of the sensor is an electrical signal that’s transmitted to a controller for
further processing. You will understand the overview, types, and application of
Wireless Sensor Network in this article.
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Introduction: Key Features of Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are critically important in modern technology and
have a wide range of applications across various industries. Here are some key reasons
highlighting their importance:

1) Remote Monitoring and Sensing: WSNs enable remote monitoring and sensing of
physical and environmental conditions in real-time. They can gather data from
inaccessible or hazardous locations without the need for human intervention, thereby
improving safety and efficiency in operations.

2) Cost-effectiveness: Compared to traditional wired systems, WSNs are often more

cost-effective to deploy and maintain. They eliminate the need for extensive cabling
infrastructure, reduce installation costs, and offer scalability by easily adding or
relocating nodes as needed.

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 Introduction: Key Features of Wireless Sensor Networks

3) Data Collection and Analysis: WSNs facilitate continuous data collection over large
geographical areas or in distributed environments. This data can be analyzed to derive
valuable insights, make informed decisions, and optimize processes in various applications
such as agriculture, healthcare, and environmental monitoring.

4) Energy Efficiency: Many WSN nodes are designed to operate on low power, extending
their operational lifespan without frequent battery replacements. This makes them
suitable for applications where continuous operation over extended periods is required,
such as in remote monitoring or IoT deployments.

5) Real-time Response: WSNs enable real-time response capabilities by providing

instantaneous data transmission and processing. This is crucial in applications like disaster
management, where timely information can save lives and minimize damage.

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Introduction: Key Features of Wireless Sensor Networks
6) Scalability and Flexibility: WSNs are inherently scalable, allowing for the deployment of
hundreds or even thousands of sensor nodes to cover large areas or densely monitor specific
environments.

7) Environmental Monitoring and Conservation: In environmental applications, WSNs play a vital

role in monitoring air and water quality, detecting forest fires, tracking wildlife, and studying
climate change. They provide valuable data for environmental research, conservation efforts, and
policy-making.

8) Industrial Automation and IoT: WSNs are integral to industrial automation and the Internet of
Things (IoT), enabling smart factories, predictive maintenance, and efficient supply chain
management.

9) Healthcare and Well-being: In healthcare, WSNs are used for remote patient monitoring, elderly
care, and monitoring environmental conditions in hospitals. They support early detection of health
issues, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for individuals requiring
continuous medical attention.
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Introduction: Background of Sensor Network Technology.

Input / Output Devices / Sensors and Transducers Light Sensor used to Produce a Digital Signal

Sensors and Transducers

Thermocouple used to produce an Analogue Signal

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Introduction: Typical Op-amp Filters

Were some random noise still remains after filtering it may be necessary to take several
samples and then average them to give the final value so increasing the signal-to-noise
ratio. Either way, both amplification and filtering play an important role in interfacing
both sensors and transducers to microprocessor and electronics based systems in “real
world” conditions.

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Introduction: Wireless sensor network architecture

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), is an infrastructure-less wireless network that is

deployed in a large number of wireless sensors in an ad-hoc manner that is used to
monitor the system, physical, or environmental conditions.

Multi hop network architecture

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/wireless-sensor-network-wsn/
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Introduction: WSN Network Topologies

A hierarchical sensor network

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Introduction: Wireless sensor network architecture (2)
Wireless Sensor Network Architecture:
A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) architecture is structured into three main layers:

I. Physical Layer: This layer connects sensor nodes to the base station using technologies
like radio waves, infrared, or Bluetooth. It ensures the physical communication between
nodes and the base station.

II. Data Link Layer: Responsible for establishing a reliable connection between sensor
nodes and the base station. It uses protocols such as IEEE 802.15.4 to manage data
transmission and ensure efficient communication within the network.

II. Application Layer: Enables sensor nodes to communicate specific data to the base
station. It uses protocols like ZigBee to define how data is formatted, transmitted, and
received, supporting various applications such as environmental monitoring or industrial
control.
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https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/wireless-sensor-network-wsn/
 Introduction: WSN Network Topologies
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can be organized into different network topologies based on
their application and network type. Here are the most common types:

Bus Topology: In a Bus Topology, multiple nodes are connected to a single line or bus. Data travels
along this bus from one node to the next. It’s a simple layout often used in smaller networks.

Star Topology: Star Topology have a central node, called the master node, which connects directly
to multiple other nodes. Data flows from the master node to the connected nodes. This topology
is efficient for centralized control.

Tree Topology: Tree Topology arrange nodes in a hierarchical structure resembling a tree. Data is
transmitted from one node to another along the branches of the tree structure. It’s useful for
expanding coverage in hierarchical deployments.

Mesh Topology: Mesh Topology feature nodes interconnected with one another, forming a mesh-
like structure. Data can travel through multiple paths from one node to another until it reaches its
destination. This topology offers robust coverage and redundancy.
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Introduction: WSN Network Topologies

Depending on the
environment, the types of
networks are decided so that
those can be deployed
underwater, underground, on
land, and so on. Different
types of WSNs include:

Types of Wireless Sensor Networks

1) Terrestrial WSNs
2) Underground WSNs
3) Underwater WSNs
4) Multimedia WSNs
5) Mobile WSNs
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Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks

Terrestrial WSNs
Terrestrial WSNs are capable of communicating base stations efficiently, and consist of
hundreds to thousands of wireless sensor nodes deployed either in an unstructured (ad
hoc) or structured (Pre-planned) manner. In an unstructured mode, the sensor nodes are
randomly distributed within the target area that is dropped from a fixed plane. The
preplanned or structured mode considers optimal placement, grid placement, and 2D,
3D placement models.

Underground WSNs
The underground wireless sensor networks are more expensive than the terrestrial
WSNs in terms of deployment, maintenance, and equipment cost considerations and
careful planning. The WSNs networks consist of several sensor nodes that are hidden in
the ground to monitor underground conditions. To relay information from the sensor
nodes to the base station, additional sink nodes are located above the ground.

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Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks (3)

Terrestrial WSNs

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Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks (3)
Underground WSNs

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 Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks (2)

Under Water WSNs

More than 70% of the earth is occupied with water. These networks consist of several
sensor nodes and vehicles deployed underwater. Autonomous underwater vehicles are
used for gathering data from these sensor nodes. A challenge of underwater
communication is a long propagation delay, and bandwidth and sensor failures.
Underwater, WSNs are equipped with a limited battery that cannot be recharged or
replaced. The issue of energy conservation for underwater WSNs involves the development
of underwater communication and networking techniques.

Multimedia WSNs
Multimedia wireless sensor networks have been proposed to enable tracking and
monitoring of events in the form of multimedia, such as imaging, video, and audio. These
networks consist of low-cost sensor nodes equipped with microphones and cameras.
These nodes are interconnected with each other over a wireless connection for data
compression, data retrieval, and correlation. 16
Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks (3)
Multimedia WSNs

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Introduction: Types of Wireless Sensor Networks (4)

The challenges with the multimedia WSN include high energy consumption, high
bandwidth requirements, data processing, and compressing techniques. In addition to
this, multimedia contents require high bandwidth for the content to be delivered
properly and easily.

Mobile WSNs
These networks consist of a collection of sensor nodes that can be moved on their
own and can be interacted with the physical environment. The mobile nodes can
compute sense and communicate.

Mobile wireless sensor networks are much more versatile than static sensor networks.
The advantages of MWSN over static wireless sensor networks include better and
improved coverage, better energy efficiency, superior channel capacity, and so on.

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Introduction: WSN Network Topologies

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Characteristics of Wireless Sensor Networks.

1. Distributed Architecture: WSNs consist of a large number of sensor nodes deployed in

the area of interest. These nodes are typically self-organizing and work cooperatively to
achieve a common goal, such as environmental monitoring or surveillance.

2. Limited Resources: Sensor nodes are often constrained in terms of power, computation,
memory, and communication bandwidth. This limitation necessitates efficient protocols
and algorithms for communication, data processing, and energy management.

3. Wireless Communication: Sensor nodes communicate wirelessly using radio

frequencies. They form a multi-hop network to relay data from the sensing nodes to a
base station or sink node, which typically has more resources and can communicate with
external networks or systems.

4. Sensor Capabilities: Each sensor node is equipped with one or more types of sensors to
capture data about the physical environment (e.g., temperature, humidity, light, vibration,
sound). These sensors are often specialized for the specific application of the WSN. 20
Characteristics of Wireless Sensor Networks.

5. Self-Organization: WSNs are often deployed in ad hoc or self-organizing manners,

where nodes autonomously form a network without relying on a predefined
infrastructure. This adaptability is crucial for dynamic environments or scenarios where
nodes may fail or need to be added.

6. Data-centric Operations: WSNs primarily focus on data collection and dissemination

rather than individual node actions. Protocols and algorithms are designed to optimize
data delivery, minimize latency, and conserve energy.

7. Energy Efficiency: Maximizing the network lifetime is a critical concern in WSNs due
to limited battery power of individual nodes. Techniques such as duty cycling (where
nodes periodically turn on and off their radio) and data aggregation (combining similar
data to reduce transmission) are employed to conserve energy.

8. Security Challenges: WSNs face unique security challenges due to their deployment
in open and hostile environments. 21
Characteristics of Wireless Sensor Networks.

9. Scalability: WSNs vary widely in size, from a handful of nodes to thousands or more.
Scalability concerns arise in terms of network management, data handling, and
maintaining performance as the network grows.

10. Applications: WSNs find applications in various fields such as environmental

monitoring, industrial automation, healthcare, smart cities, and military systems. Each
application may have specific requirements that influence the design and deployment of
the network.

Wireless Sensor Networks represent a specialized form of network designed for efficient,
distributed sensing and data collection in diverse and often challenging environments.
Their characteristics and design principles are tailored to maximize efficiency, reliability,
and applicability to specific use cases.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the importance of WSNs lies in their ability

to gather, transmit, and process data autonomously from
diverse environments, contributing to advancements in
technology, sustainability, and quality of life across
various sectors.

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Questions???

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