Wireless Sensor Networks and Applications

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to provide solid foundation in a) the latest development and practices in sensor technologies; b) sensor device design and sensor control techniques; c) wireless sensor networking and protocols; d) current available sensor tool kits including software and hardware platforms;

This module can be taken as a 10-credit or a 20-credit module. For students taking the 10-credit option can choose to take either the theoretical or the practical options. The latter includes a 5-day residential course, which consists of a series of hands-on lab sessions. For students opting to take 20-credits need to take part in both the theoretical and the practical parts. 

Learning Objectives

• An advanced knowledge and understanding of sensors/actuators and recent developments in wireless sensor technology
• Techniques in  the design of sensor nodes for wireless networks
• An understanding of the underlying concepts behind the network architecture design and protocols of wireless sensor networks.
• A critical understanding of the latest software technologies for wireless embedded sensor networks and the use of the most commonly available tool kits and their associated software platform.
• Ability to program and use the sensor software tools, which can be made available to the module in the 5-day residential course, to control the sensor nodes and to design a simple wireless sensor network and to collect, assimilate and analyse data.

Background

The information society has witnessed an enormous technological revolution over the past decade. The 90s were dominated by the technological breakthrough in computer networking, which led to the proliferation of the Internet. The first decade of 21st century resorted to wireless connectivity with rapid growth in mobile telephony such as 3G and an increasing demand for mobility in data communications, resulting in new standards for wireless networking such as the US-backed IEEE802.11 (Wi-Fi) and Europe’s HIPERLAN. Recent advances in MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and wireless network technologies have created low-cost, low-power, multifunctional miniature sensor devices that can be networked together over a wireless medium to provide an overall result of their collaborative sensing functionality. This has raised a whole new field of research in wireless sensor networks and their applications. It is expected that wireless sensing technologies will be the dominant driving force behind ubiquitous communications and computing in the years to come.

Pre-Requisite Knowledge

Knowledge of software programming in C and/or Java will be an advantage for students taking 20-credit version of the module. .

Assessment

Option 1: 10 credit theoretical only. Assignment 1 50% and examination 50%

Option 2: 10 credit practical only. Assignment 2 100%

Option 3 20 credits. Assignment 1 25%, Assignment 2 50%, examination 25%

Assignment 1
For the 10-credit theoretical part, a case study completed with a written report on wireless sensor networks or related topics to be agreed with tutors.

Assignment 2:
A coursework based on the materials taught in the lab-based residential.

Syllabus

Recommended Texts

1. Edgar H. Callaway, ‘Wireless Sensor Networks: Architectures and Protocols’ CRC Press, ISBN: 0849318238.
2. Holger Karl, Andreas Willig,’ Protocols and Architectures for Wireless Sensor Networks’, Wiley.
3. http://www.tinyos.net/
4. http://cvs.cens.ucla.edu/emstar/
5. Julian W. Gardner, Vijay K. Varadan, Osama O. Awadelkarim, ’Microsensors, MEMS and Smart Devices’, Wiley, ISBN: 047186109.

Last updated: 27.09.07 RA