Introduction

Introduction To
To
Wireless
Wireless Sensor
Sensor Networks
Networks
 Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network is a collection of

nodes organized into a cooperative network.
Each node consists of processing capability
may contain multiple types of memory have
an RF transceiver, have a power source
(e.g., batteries and solar cells), and
accommodate various sensors.
Wireless Sensor Networks
 Communication Network

A communication network is composed of

nodes, each of which has computing power and
can transmit and receive messages over
communication links, wireless or cabled.
 Basic Network Topologies

Star Topology


Ring Topology


Bus Topology


Tree Topology


Fully Connected Networks



Mesh Networks

 Star Topology
All nodes of the star topology are connected to a single
hub node. The hub requires greater message handling,
routing, and decision-making capabilities than the other
nodes. If a communication link is cut, it only affects one
node. However, if the hub is incapacitated the network
is destroyed.
 Ring Topology
In the ring topology all nodes perform the
same function and there is no leader node.
Messages generally travel around the ring in
a single direction.

However, if the ring is cut, all

communication is lost.
 Bus Topology
In the bus topology, messages are
broadcast on the bus to all nodes. Each
node checks the destination address in the
message header, and processes the
messages addressed to it.
 Tree Topology
In Tree Topology there will be a root node
and the root node has two branches. Each
branch may again contains branches and so
on.
 Fully-connected Network
In a fully connected Network when
additional nodes are added, the number of
links increases exponentially.
 Mesh Network
Mesh networks are regularly distributed
networks that generally allow transmission
only to a node’s nearest neighbors. The
nodes in these networks are generally
identical.
Mesh nets can be good models for
large-scale networks of wireless
sensors that are distributed over a
geographic region.
 Communication Network
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A single network may consist of several

interconnected subnets of different
topologies. Networks are further classified
as Local Area Networks (LAN), e.g. inside
one building, or Wide Area Networks (WAN),
e.g. between buildings.
 Wireless Sensor Networks
A wireless sensor network (WSN) is a
wireless network consisting of spatially
distributed autonomous devices using
sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or
environmental conditions, such as
temperature, sound, vibration, pressure,
motion or pollutants, at different locations.
 Wireless Sensor Networks
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The development of wireless sensor
networks was originally motivated by
military applications such as battlefield
surveillance. However, wireless sensor
networks are now used in many civilian
application areas, including environment and
habitat monitoring, healthcare applications,
home automation, and traffic control.
 Sensor Node
 Networks of typically small, battery-powered,
wireless devices.
• On-board processing,
• Communication, and
• Sensing capabilities.

Sensors P
O
W
Storage Processor E
R
Radio

WSN device schematics

 Sensor Node
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In addition to one or more sensors, each
node in a sensor network is typically
equipped with a radio transceiver or other
wireless communications device, a small
microcontroller, and an energy source,
usually a battery.
Sensors P
O
W
Storage Processor
E
R
Radio

WSN device schematics

Sensor Node
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Sensor Node
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 Sensor Network
Antenna
Server
Interface
electronics, radio
and microcontroller

Soil moisture
Sensor field
probe
Communications Mote
barrier

Gateway

Internet
 Computer Revolution

Original IBM PC (1981) MICAZ Mote (2005)

4.77 MHz 4 MHz
16-256 KB RAM 128 KB RAM
160 KB Floppies 512 KB Flash
~ $6K (today) ~ $35
~ 64 W ~14 mW
25 lb, 19.5 x 5.5 x 16 inch 0.5 oz, 2.25 x 1.25 x 0.25
inch
Sensor Network
Server

Watershed
Sensor field

Gateway

Internet
 Network Model for WSN
A wireless sensor network consists of
hundreds or thousands of low cost nodes
which could either have a fixed location or
randomly deployed to monitor the
environment. The flowing of data ends at
special nodes called base stations
(sometimes they are also referred to as
sinks).
 Network Model for WSN
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A base station links the sensor network to

another network (like a gateway) to
disseminate the data sensed for further
processing. Base stations have enhanced
capabilities over simple sensor nodes since
they must do complex data processing.
 Network Model for WSN
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This justifies the fact that bases stations

have workstation/laptop class processors,
and of course enough memory, energy,
storage and computational power to perform
their tasks well.
 Usage of Sensor Networks
Environmental Observation:
Sensor networks can be used to monitor
environmental changes. An example could be water
pollution detection in a lake that is located near a
factory that uses chemical substances. Sensor nodes
could be randomly deployed in unknown and hostile
areas and relay the exact origin of a pollutant. Other
examples include forest fire detection, air pollution
and rainfall observation in agriculture.
 Usage of Sensor Networks
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Military Monitoring:
Military uses sensor networks for battlefield
surveillance; sensors could monitor
vehicular traffic, track the position of the
enemy.
 Usage of Sensor Networks
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Building Monitoring:
Sensors can also be used in large buildings
or factories monitoring climate changes.
Thermostats and temperature sensor nodes
are deployed all over the building’s area. In
addition, sensors could be used to monitor
vibration that could damage the structure of
a building.
 Usage of Sensor Networks
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Healthcare:
Sensors can be used in biomedical
applications to improve the quality of the
provided care. Sensors are implanted in the
human body to monitor medical problems
like cancer and help patients maintain their
health.
Thank You