Sensor Networks
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[edit] About
Aim of this book is to bring forward basic concepts of Sensor Networks. This will also highlight the issues and the design choices that a engineer would face while designing one. I designed and implemented a Sensor Network as part of my MS thesis at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. This will be used as a reference implementation in this book. At the same time the effort will be to not limit to one implementation but bring out the state of the art in the area.
[edit] Definition
Sensor Network is a self configured ad hoc network formed by low cost devices spread in the environment which allows the owner to monitor the environment online without actually going to the places which are to be monitored.
This is another way to the Smart Dust concept which is part of a DARPA challenge.
[edit] Applications
- Defense-related sensor networks
- battlefield surveillance, treaty monitoring, transportation monitoring, scud hunting, ...
- Virtual keyboard
- Glue a dust mote on each of your fingernails. Accelerometers will sense the orientation and motion of each of your fingertips, and talk to the computer in your watch. QWERTY is the first step to proving the concept, but you can imagine much more useful and creative ways to interface to your computer if it knows where your fingers are: sculpt 3D shapes in virtual clay, play the piano, gesture in sign language and have to computer translate, ...
- Combined with a MEMS augmented-reality heads-up display, your entire computer I/O would be invisible to the people around you. Couple that with wireless access and you need never be bored in a meeting again! Surf the web while the boss rambles on and on.
- Inventory Control
- The carton talks to the box, the box talks to the palette, the palette talks to the truck, and the truck talks to the warehouse, and the truck and the warehouse talk to the internet. Know where your products are and what shape they're in any time, anywhere. Sort of like FedEx tracking on steroids for all products in your production stream from raw materials to delivered goods.
Many more at Smart Dust page.
