Overview of Sensor Networks

makes it possible to instrument the world with increasing fidelity. To realize this opportunity, information technology must address a new collection of challenges. The individual devices in a wireless sensor network (WSN) are inherently resource constrained: They have limited processing speed, storage capacity, and communication bandwidth. These devices have substantial processing capability in the aggregate, but not individually, so we must combine their many vantage points on the physical phenomena within the network itself. In most settings, the network must operate for long periods of time and the nodes are wireless, so the available energy resources—whether batteries, energy harvesting, or both—limit their overall operation. To minimize energy consumption, most of the device’s components, including the radio, will likely be turned off most of the time. Because they are so closely coupled to a changing physical world, the nodes forming the network will experience wide variations in connectivity and will be subject to potentially harsh environmental conditions. Their dense deployment generally means that there will be a high degree of interaction between nodes, both positive and negative. Each of these factors further complicates the networking protocols. Despite these operational factors, deploying and maintaining the nodes must remain inexpensive. Because manually configuring large networks of Wireless sensor networks could advance many scientific pursuits while providing a vehicle for enhancing various forms of productivity, including manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and transportation.