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TopBackground
Wireless sensor networks are special ad hoc networks that can be used in several application areas, such as: home, health, and environmental monitoring, robotic, vehicle systems, and military applications. With the advent of new technologies in the context of wireless communication, digital microelectronics, it is possible to build wireless sensor devices increasingly robustness, with more storage, processing, and energy capabilities. Within this context, with these capabilities and reduction of device size and costs, it becomes possible the design of large-scale wireless sensor networks.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN): Special ad hoc network that can be used in several application areas, which its nodes (namely sensor nodes) are responsible by data transmission and network control.
Hierarchical Routing Protocols: Protocols that apply clustering mechanism to group sensor nodes, creating different responsibility levels and rules among the nodes.
IEEE 802.15.5 Standard: A standard defines a mesh topology for wireless personal area networks through to implementation of a logical tree and mesh links.
Large-Scale: Large geographical area where nodes are randomly deployed.
IEEE 802.15.4 Standard: A family of standards used in wireless sensor networks, which defines the PHY and MAC layers for low-rate wireless personal area networks, focusing on short-range operation, low-data rate, and low-cost implementations.
Real-Time Communication: In real-time communication, messages have implicit time constraints and their deadlines must be met. Thus, the communication network must guarantee quality of service requested by applications.
IEEE 802.15.4e Standard: An amendment of IEEE 802.15.4 standard, which introduces new MAC mechanisms that allow devices to support a wide range of industrial and commercial applications.