TY - GEN
T1 - Wireless sensor networks
T2 - 31st Annual IEEE Conference on Local Computer Networks
AU - Gaura, Elena
AU - Newman, R. M.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - The paper presents a thought experiment as to the feasibility of using large scale wireless sensor networks as a vehicle for high level scientific investigation. The discussion is framed by a demanding scenario, that of planetary exploration, and the assessment of feasibility is driven by the available micromachining technologies and recent advances in the areas of ad-hoc networking, communications and intelligent sensing. Following discussion on the development of the mission, the next question addressed is if and how MEMS and VLSI technologies could be integrated to provide a self-contained space probe, 40mm in length. A sensor payload is proposed, which includes means of seismic, chemical, temperature and visual exploration. The power and communications systems are also discussed, based on the needs of a mission profile which provides no special 'base station' nodes on the planet's surface, requiring each sensor package to be capable of information extraction, in-network collaboration and communication with an orbiting satellite. The outcome of the thought experiment described is a positive assertion of feasibility for the sensor node hardware, given current levels of MEMS and VLSI technologies. With respect to the wireless ad-hoc networking aspects of the proposed deployment, pointers are given to the issues which are still necessitating research work, mainly from the computer sciences community.
AB - The paper presents a thought experiment as to the feasibility of using large scale wireless sensor networks as a vehicle for high level scientific investigation. The discussion is framed by a demanding scenario, that of planetary exploration, and the assessment of feasibility is driven by the available micromachining technologies and recent advances in the areas of ad-hoc networking, communications and intelligent sensing. Following discussion on the development of the mission, the next question addressed is if and how MEMS and VLSI technologies could be integrated to provide a self-contained space probe, 40mm in length. A sensor payload is proposed, which includes means of seismic, chemical, temperature and visual exploration. The power and communications systems are also discussed, based on the needs of a mission profile which provides no special 'base station' nodes on the planet's surface, requiring each sensor package to be capable of information extraction, in-network collaboration and communication with an orbiting satellite. The outcome of the thought experiment described is a positive assertion of feasibility for the sensor node hardware, given current levels of MEMS and VLSI technologies. With respect to the wireless ad-hoc networking aspects of the proposed deployment, pointers are given to the issues which are still necessitating research work, mainly from the computer sciences community.
KW - distributed computation
KW - information extraction
KW - intelligent sensing
KW - MEMS sensors
KW - wireless sensor networks
U2 - 10.1109/LCN.2006.322021
DO - 10.1109/LCN.2006.322021
M3 - Conference proceeding contribution
SN - 9781424404186
SN - 1424404185
T3 - Conference on Local Computer Networks
SP - 596
EP - 603
BT - Proceedings of the 2006 31st IEEE Conference on Local Computer Networks
A2 - Elmallah, E
A2 - Christensen, K
A2 - Frank, M
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
CY - Piscataway, NJ
Y2 - 14 November 2006 through 16 November 2006
ER -