Wireless Sensor Network Testbeds : A Survey

The rapid increase in WSN-Testbed deployments alongside intra-academic and inter-industrial collaboration are two healthy signs which not only affirm but also confirm that it is a matter of time before WSN technology becomes a preferred industrial norm. In this chapter, the authors help in realizing this very fact through reflecting on different experiences pertinent to WSN-Testbed deployments. To put this objective into perspective, first, the authors adopt and describe a classification methodology for WSN-Testbeds. Second, the authors present a generic architecture for the different classes of WSNTestbeds. Third, the authors pinpoint some design challenges and evaluation criteria/benchmarking scheme pertinent to WSN-Testbeds. Fourth, the authors examine the literature and opt for a variety of 30 WSN-Testbeds. The selection of these WSN-Testbeds is carefully made to cover the various spectra of WSN applications while avoiding redundancy. Fifth, selected WSN-Testbeds are comparatively analyzed with highlights of architecture and distinctive features. Sixth, the authors apply the benchmarking scheme and properly evaluate the selected WSN-Testbeds. Then, the authors shed light on some of the most relevant challenges and drawbacks. Finally, interesting discussion is introduced where among the issues discussed are: vitality of WSN-Testbeds, design trade-offs, network model, WSN’s OS, topology control, power management, some real world deployment challenges, and confidentiality infringement. The authors believe that this chapter is a contribution towards realizing the important role that a WSNTestbed plays in hastening the industrial adoption for the promising WSN technology. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-0101-7.ch007