Wireless Sensor Network

Dr. Manisha Khurana

Department of Electronics
Acharya Narendra Dev College
University of Delhi
 Wireless Sensor Network
 Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are networks composed of numerous small, autonomous
devices equipped with sensors, communication capabilities, and often limited computational
power.
 These devices, called sensor nodes, collaborate to collect data from their surrounding
environment, process it locally, and communicate the processed information to a central
location or other nodes within the network.
 WSNs find applications in various fields, including environmental monitoring, healthcare,
industrial automation, smart agriculture, and military surveillance.
 Key Components and their Interconnection
1. Sensor Nodes:
• Sensors: Various types of sensors (e.g.,
temperature, humidity, light, motion) for
collecting data from the environment.
• Microcontroller: Controls the operation of
the sensor node, processes data, and manages
communication.
• Memory: Stores program code, sensor data,
and network-related information.
• Power Source: Typically a battery or energy
harvesting mechanism to power the node.
• Radio Transceiver: Enables wireless
communication with other nodes in the
network.
2. Communication Layer:
• Wireless Communication Protocol: Determines the rules and procedures for
communication between sensor nodes. Examples include Zigbee, Bluetooth Low
Energy (BLE), and IEEE 802.15.4.
• MAC Layer (Medium Access Control): Controls access to the wireless medium to
avoid collisions and ensure efficient communication.
• Network Layer: Manages routing and forwarding of data packets between sensor
nodes.

3. Gateway or Base Station:

• Central Node: Acts as a gateway or base station for the WSN.
• Higher Processing Power: Typically has more computational resources compared to
sensor nodes.
•Wired or Wireless Connection: Communicates with external networks or systems
(e.g., the internet) to transmit data collected from the sensor nodes.
4. Network Management:
• Topology Management: Controls the arrangement of sensor nodes in the network
topology (e.g., star, mesh, cluster-based).
• Energy Management: Implements techniques to optimize energy consumption and
prolong network lifetime.
• Security Management: Enforces security mechanisms to protect data integrity,
confidentiality, and authenticity within the network.

5. Applications:
• Specific Applications: Tailored software or algorithms for the intended application
domain (e.g., environmental monitoring, healthcare, industrial automation).
• Data Processing and Fusion: Algorithms for aggregating, filtering, and analyzing
sensor data to extract meaningful information.
6. External Interface:
• User Interface: Allows users to interact with the WSN, configure settings, and
visualize collected data.
• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Enable integration with external
systems or applications for further data analysis or decision-making.
Network Architecture
The architecture of a WSN plays a significant role in its overall performance and
reliability. Various network architectures can be employed, each with its unique
advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we will discuss centralized and
distributed networks, as well as hierarchical and flat network structures.
Centralized vs. Distributed Networks
In a centralized network, a single node or hub, known as the sink, is responsible
for collecting and processing data from all sensor nodes. While this approach
simplifies network management, it can create bottlenecks and limit scalability. On
the other hand, distributed networks allow for decentralized data processing and
decision-making, improving scalability and fault tolerance at the cost of increased
complexity.
Hierarchical and Flat Network Structures
WSNs can also be organized into hierarchical or flat structures. In hierarchical
networks, nodes are grouped into clusters, with each cluster having a designated
leader responsible for data aggregation and communication with the sink. This
approach can improve energy efficiency and network management but may require
additional resources for cluster formation and maintenance. Flat networks treat all
nodes as equals, with each node responsible for its data processing and
communication. This approach simplifies network setup but may result in higher
energy consumption and network congestion.
A modern Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) faces several challenges, including:
1. Limited power and energy: WSNs are typically composed of battery-powered sensors that have
limited energy resources. This makes it challenging to ensure that the network can function for long
periods of time without the need for frequent battery replacements.

2. Limited processing and storage capabilities: Sensor nodes in a WSN are typically small and have
limited processing and storage capabilities. This makes it difficult to perform complex tasks or store
large amounts of data.

3. Heterogeneity: WSNs often consist of a variety of different sensor types and nodes with different
capabilities. This makes it challenging to ensure that the network can function effectively
and efficiently.

4. Security: WSNs are vulnerable to various types of attacks, such as eavesdropping, jamming, and
spoofing. Ensuring the security of the network and the data it collects is a major challenge.
5. Scalability: WSNs often need to be able to support a large number of sensor nodes and handle
large amounts of data. Ensuring that the network can scale to meet these demands is a
significant challenge.

6. Interference: WSNs are often deployed in environments where there is a lot of interference from
other wireless devices. This can make it difficult to ensure reliable communication between sensor
nodes.

7. Reliability: WSNs are often used in critical applications, such as monitoring the environment or
controlling industrial processes. Ensuring that the network is reliable and able to function
correctly in all conditions is a major challenge.
Advantages of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN):
1. Low cost: WSNs consist of small, low-cost sensors that are easy to deploy, making
them a cost-effective solution for many applications.
2. Wireless communication: WSNs eliminate the need for wired connections, which
can be costly and difficult to install. Wireless communication also enables flexible
deployment and reconfiguration of the network.
3. Energy efficiency: WSNs use low-power devices and protocols to conserve energy,
enabling long-term operation without the need for frequent battery replacements.
4. Scalability: WSNs can be scaled up or down easily by adding or removing sensors,
making them suitable for a range of applications and environments.
5. Real-time monitoring: WSNs enable real-time monitoring of physical phenomena in
the environment, providing timely information for decision making and control.