Modified Assignment: Wireless Sensor

Networks
NAME: RISHI SUNIL

BITS ID: 2023ht01580

COURSE: NETWORK EMBEDDED APPLICATION

[NEA assignment -1]{.underline}

[Wireless sensor Networks]{.underline}

[Content]{.underline}
1. Introduction

2. Literature Survey

3. Industry Applications (Scope of WSN in your Industry)

4. Real-World WSN Application: Environmental Monitoring

5. Conclusion

6. References

7. Mentor's review and signature

[Introduction]{.underline}
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN): "A network of autonomous sensors monitoring
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity)."

Components:

i. Sensors: Detect environmental parameters.

ii. Nodes: Include sensors, processing unit, communication module, and power source.

iii. Sink/Base Station: Central node collecting and processing data from sensor nodes.
iv. Communication Protocols: Govern wireless data exchange with focus on energy
efficiency.

Applications: Environmental monitoring, health monitoring, industrial automation, smart

homes, agriculture.

Key Features:

i. Energy Efficiency: Low power consumption is crucial.

ii. Scalability: Can include many nodes.

iii. Self-Healing: Adapts to node failures or changes.

iv. Ad Hoc Deployment: No fixed infrastructure needed.

[Monitoring space in the context of WSN.]

{.underline}
 Monitoring Space in WSN: The physical area monitored by sensor nodes in a
WSN.

 Coverage: Ensures the entire area is monitored without gaps.

 Node Placement: Strategic positioning of nodes to optimize coverage, energy

efficiency, and connectivity.

 Spatial Resolution: Depends on node density; higher density provides more

detailed monitoring.

 Environmental Factors: Terrain and obstacles can affect sensor performance and
signal propagation.

 Data Collection and Transmission: Data is wirelessly sent to a central location

for processing.

 Scalability and Flexibility: Can adapt to different sizes of monitoring spaces, from
small areas to large regions.

 Applications: Used in environmental monitoring, industrial automation, smart

cities, agriculture, etc.
[Basic Building Blocks of WSN]
{.underline}
The basic building blocks of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) include:

1. Sensor Nodes:

 Sensors: Measure physical or environmental parameters (e.g., temperature,

humidity).

 Microcontroller/Processor: Processes data and controls sensor operations.

 Memory: Stores data and the node's operating system or software.

 Communication Module: Facilitates wireless data transmission (e.g., radio

transceiver).

 Power Source: Typically a battery, powering the node and its components.

2. Base Station (Sink):

 Data Aggregation: Collects and aggregates data from sensor nodes.

 Processing Unit: Analyzes the collected data.

 Communication Interface: Connects to external networks or systems for further data

processing or user access.

3. Communication Protocols:

 Routing Protocols: Determine the paths for data transmission between nodes and
the base station.

 MAC Protocols: Manage access to the communication channel to avoid collisions and
conserve energy.

4. Network Management System:

 Topology Control: Manages the layout and organization of nodes within the network.

 Security Mechanisms: Protects data integrity and prevents unauthorized access.

 Fault Tolerance: Ensures the network continues to function despite node failures.
5. Power Management System:

 Energy Harvesting: Techniques to extend node lifespan by capturing ambient

energy (e.g., solar).

 Power Conservation Strategies: Techniques to reduce energy consumption, such as

duty cycling and sleep modes.

[Design challenges associated with WSN.]

{.underline}
1. Energy Efficiency: Limited battery life; requires energy-efficient protocols and
possibly energy harvesting.

2. Scalability: Must handle large-scale deployments without performance

degradation.

3. Network Topology: Dynamic topology changes and optimal node placement for
coverage and connectivity.

4. Data Aggregation and Processing: Reduce redundant data and enable real-time
processing with low latency.

5. Communication Reliability: Address interference, noise, and ensure fault

tolerance.

6. Security and Privacy: Protect data confidentiality, integrity, and prevent node
tampering.

7. Cost Constraints: Need for low-cost hardware and minimal

maintenance/deployment costs.

8. Environmental Factors: Robust design for harsh conditions; consider

environmental impact.

9. Heterogeneity: Integration of diverse sensor types and multi-platform

compatibility.

10. Quality of Service (QoS): Balance latency, bandwidth, energy use, and ensure
data accuracy.
[Deployment Issues of WSN]{.underline}
1. Node Placement: Ensuring optimal placement for coverage and connectivity while
considering the environment and application needs.

2. Power Management: Extending node battery life through energy-efficient designs

and protocols, as replacing or recharging batteries can be challenging.

3. Network Connectivity: Maintaining reliable communication between nodes and

the base station, even in the presence of obstacles or dynamic topology changes.

4. Scalability: Managing and scaling the network as the number of nodes increases,
ensuring consistent performance.

5. Environmental Impact: Deploying in various environments, which may involve

harsh conditions that can affect node durability and performance.

6. Data Aggregation: Handling large volumes of data efficiently, reducing

redundancy, and ensuring timely transmission to the base station.

7. Security Concerns: Protecting the network from unauthorized access, data

tampering, and node compromise, especially in sensitive applications.

8. Interference and Noise: Addressing issues related to signal interference from

other wireless devices and environmental noise, which can affect data transmission.

9. Cost Constraints: Balancing the cost of nodes and deployment with the required
performance, especially in large-scale deployments.

10. Maintenance and Upkeep: Ensuring easy maintenance and managing node
failures, as WSNs are often deployed in remote or inaccessible locations.

[Different deployment patterns used in

WSN.]{.underline}
1. Random Deployment:

 Description: Nodes scattered randomly (e.g., air-dropped).

 Advantages: Quick, suitable for large/rough areas.

 Disadvantages: Uneven coverage, needs optimization.

2. Grid Deployment:

 Description: Nodes placed in a regular grid pattern.

 Advantages: Uniform coverage, easy management.

 Disadvantages: Not ideal for irregular terrains, time-consuming.

3. Uniform Deployment:

 Description: Nodes placed uniformly, not necessarily in a grid.

 Advantages: Balanced coverage, energy distribution.

 Disadvantages: Challenging in complex environments.

4. Cluster-Based Deployment:

 Description: Nodes grouped into clusters with a cluster head.

 Advantages: Energy-efficient, scalable.

 Disadvantages: Cluster heads can fail, adding complexity.

5. Hexagonal Deployment:

 Description: Nodes arranged in a hexagonal pattern.

 Advantages: Efficient coverage, minimal redundancy.

 Disadvantages: Difficult in uneven terrains, requires precise placement.

6. Tree-Based Deployment:

 Description: Nodes form a hierarchical tree structure.

 Advantages: Reduces communication overhead, energy-efficient.

 Disadvantages: Vulnerable to upper-layer node failures.

7. Mobile Node Deployment:

 Description: Nodes are mobile, adjusting for better coverage.

 Advantages: Flexible, adaptive to changes.

  Disadvantages: Complex design, higher energy consumption.

8. Heterogeneous Deployment:

 Description: Mix of different node types in the network.

 Advantages: Enhanced functionality, resource utilization.

 Disadvantages: Increased management complexity.

[Role of each layer in the WSN Protocol

Stack Introduction]{.underline}
 The Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) protocol stack is designed to manage the
various communication and networking functions required to operate a WSN
efficiently.

1. Physical Layer:

Role: Handles the transmission and reception of raw data bits over the physical medium
(e.g., radio waves). It defines the hardware specifications, including modulation, signal
frequency, and data rate.

Functions:

 Modulation and demodulation

 Signal detection

 Carrier frequency generation

 Bit transmission

2. Data Link Layer:

Role: Ensures reliable data transfer between nodes by managing the framing, error
detection, and Medium Access Control (MAC). It coordinates how data packets are shared
over the network.

Functions:

 MAC protocols to avoid collisions

 Error detection and correction

  Frame synchronization

 Data link layer flow control

3. Network Layer:

Role: Manages routing and forwarding of data packets between nodes, ensuring they
reach the correct destination within the network. It handles network topology and may
implement routing algorithms specific to WSN.

Functions:

 Routing protocols (e.g., multi-hop routing)

 Addressing and packet forwarding

 Network topology management

 Energy-efficient routing

4. Transport Layer:

Role: Provides end-to-end communication services, ensuring reliable data transmission

between source and destination nodes, often across multiple network hops. It manages
issues like data loss, packet retransmission, and flow control.

Functions:

 Reliable data transport (e.g., retransmission strategies)

 Flow control

 Congestion control

 End-to-end error detection and correction

5. Application Layer:

Role: Interfaces directly with the application and provides services tailored to the specific
needs of WSN applications. It supports data formatting, aggregation, and application-
specific protocols.

Functions:

 Data aggregation and processing

  Application-specific services (e.g., query processing)

 Task management and service discovery

 Protocols for sensor network applications (e.g., environmental monitoring, smart

homes)

6. Cross-Layer Optimization:

Role: While not a separate layer, cross-layer optimization involves interactions between
different layers to improve overall network performance, such as energy efficiency, data
latency, and reliability.

Functions:

 Joint optimization of protocols across layers

 Adaptation to changing network conditions

[Power management techniques that consider multiple layers]{.underline}

Cross-Layer Architecture in WSN:

Definition: Allows direct interaction between different layers of the protocol stack to
optimize network performance.

Why It's Used:

1. Energy Efficiency: Co-ordinates energy-saving measures across layers to extend

battery life.

2. Improved Performance: Shares information between layers for better decision-

making, leading to higher throughput and reduced latency.

3. Adaptability: Enables real-time adaptation to dynamic network conditions.

4. Enhanced QoS: Helps meet Quality of Service requirements like low latency and
high reliability.

5. Resource Optimization: Efficiently uses limited resources by reducing redundancy

and avoiding conflicts.
 6. Context Awareness: Adapts protocols based on environmental and application-
specific contexts.

Examples of Cross-Layer Interactions:

1. Joint MAC and Network Layer Optimization: Reduces collisions and improves
energy efficiency.

2. Power-Aware Routing: Chooses energy-efficient paths using multi-layer

information.

3. Adaptive Modulation and Coding: Optimizes data rate and reliability based on
network conditions.

[Requirements for WSN Time Synchronization]{.underline}

1. Precision and Accuracy:

 Requirement: Nodes must synchronize their clocks with a high degree of precision
to ensure accurate time-stamping and coordination.

 Application: Essential for tasks like event detection, data fusion, and coordinated
actuation.

2. Energy Efficiency:

 Requirement: Synchronization protocols should minimize energy consumption to

prolong node and network lifespan.

 Application: Crucial for battery-powered sensor nodes.

3. Scalability:

 Requirement: The synchronization method must scale effectively as the number of

nodes in the network increases.

 Application: Important for large-scale deployments.

4. Robustness:

 Requirement: The system should be resilient to node failures, communication

errors, and environmental changes.

 Application: Ensures reliable operation in harsh or dynamic environments.

 5. Low Latency:

 Requirement: Synchronization should occur quickly to support real-time

applications.

 Application: Vital for time-sensitive tasks like monitoring and control.

6. Minimal Communication Overhead:

 Requirement: Synchronization protocols should require minimal message

exchanges to reduce bandwidth usage.

 Application: Helps maintain network performance and efficiency.

Issues Related to Time Synchronization in WSN:

1. Clock Drift:

Issue: Each node's clock can drift over time, leading to discrepancies between nodes.

Impact: Causes errors in time-dependent applications, requiring frequent

resynchronization.

2. Resource Constraints:

Issue: Limited power, memory, and processing capabilities restrict the complexity of
synchronization protocols.

Impact: Requires lightweight, energy-efficient solutions.

3. Network Dynamics:

Issue: WSNs often have dynamic topologies due to node mobility or failures.

Impact: Makes maintaining consistent time synchronization challenging.

4. Communication Delays:

Issue: Variable communication delays can introduce errors in synchronization.

Impact: Affects the accuracy of time alignment across the network.

5. Environmental Interference:

Issue: External factors like noise, signal attenuation, and physical obstructions can affect
communication.
Impact: Leads to synchronization errors or failures.

6. Scalability Challenges:

Issue: As the network grows, maintaining synchronized time across all nodes becomes
more difficult.

Impact: Requires protocols that can efficiently handle large-scale networks.

7. Synchronization in Multi-hop Networks:

Issue: Multi-hop communication introduces additional delays and complexity in

synchronization.

Impact: Increases the difficulty of achieving accurate and consistent synchronization.

8. Security Concerns:

Issue: Time synchronization protocols can be vulnerable to attacks (e.g., spoofing or

jamming).

Impact: May compromise the integrity of the network's timing information.

[WSN Localization]{.underline}

Definition: The process of determining the physical location of sensor nodes within a
Wireless Sensor Network (WSN).

Importance of Localization in WSN:

 Data Interpretation: Maps sensor data to specific locations for accurate analysis.

 Event Detection and Tracking: Enables tracking and monitoring of events or objects.

 Network Management: Optimizes network performance and routing by knowing

node positions.

 Data Aggregation: Facilitates efficient data collection and reduces redundant

transmission.

 Coverage and Connectivity: Ensures adequate coverage and maintains network

connectivity.

Associated Issues with Localization:

  Accuracy: Localization methods may have errors affecting data reliability.

 Cost: High-accuracy methods can be expensive and may increase overall

deployment costs.

 Energy Consumption: Localization can consume significant energy, affecting

battery life.

 Scalability: Some methods may not scale well with a large number of nodes.

 Environmental Factors: Signal interference and obstacles can impact accuracy.

 Node Density: High node density can complicate localization due to overlapping
signals.

 Initialization and Calibration: Requires calibration and adjustments, adding

complexity.

 Security and Privacy: Localization data can be sensitive and may need protection.

[Literature Survey]{.underline}

1. Introduction to Wireless Sensor Networks Stefan Dulman and Paul J. M. Havinga .

2. Architectures for Wireless Sensor Networks Stefan Dulman, S. Chatterjea, and Paul J.
M. Havinga

3. Overview of Time Synchronization Issues in Sensor Networks Weilian Su

4. Resource-Aware Localization in Sensor Networks Frank Reichenbach, Jan

Blumenthal, and Dirk Timmermann

[Industry Applications (Scope of WSN in 5G Networking Systems):]{.underline}

1. Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC): Supports a large number of

connected devices for smart cities, industrial automation, etc.

2. Enhanced Data Collection and Monitoring: Real-time data collection for smart
homes, healthcare, agriculture, and more.

3. Improved Network Efficiency: Offloads data processing to edge devices,

enhancing overall network performance.
 4. Support for IoT Applications: Provides infrastructure for connecting and
managing IoT devices.

5. Enhanced Security and Reliability: Robust encryption and authentication

mechanisms for critical applications.

[Real-World WSN Application:

Environmental Monitoring]{.underline}
(a) Deployment Challenges

Environmental monitoring using WSNs involves deploying sensors in remote or harsh

environments to track parameters like temperature, humidity, and pollution levels. Key
deployment challenges include:

 Harsh Environmental Conditions: Sensors must withstand extreme weather,

terrain variations, and obstacles, which can affect signal propagation and node
durability. For instance, in forest monitoring, terrain and vegetation cause signal
interference, leading to uneven coverage.[1][2][3]

 Energy Constraints: Nodes rely on limited battery power or energy harvesting,

making it difficult to maintain long-term operations in remote areas where battery
replacement is impractical.[4][5]

 Scalability and Coverage: Ensuring comprehensive coverage in large areas

requires optimal node placement, but random deployment often leads to gaps or
overlaps, increasing costs and reducing efficiency. [6][7]

 Network Connectivity: Maintaining reliable multi-hop communication in dynamic

environments with node failures or mobility is challenging. [8][9]

 Cost and Maintenance: High deployment costs in inaccessible areas and the need
for robust, low-maintenance hardware add complexity. [10]

These challenges are evident in underwater WSNs for environmental monitoring, where
signal attenuation and node placement are critical. [11]

(b) Networking Techniques Used

Synchronization

Time synchronization is vital for coordinated data collection and event detection.
Protocols like Timing-sync Protocol for Sensor Networks (TPSN) ensure precise clock
alignment, essential for tasks like event timestamping.

In environmental monitoring, synchronization helps correlate data from multiple nodes,

reducing errors in multi-hop networks .

Routing

Routing protocols like Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) are used for
energy-efficient data transmission. In monitoring applications, hierarchical routing
optimizes paths, balancing load and extending network life . Geographic routing, as in ,
uses node positions for efficient data forwarding in large-scale deployments.

MAC (Medium Access Control)

MAC protocols like Sensor-MAC (S-MAC) manage channel access to minimize collisions
and energy waste through duty cycling . In environmental monitoring, contention-based
MACs (e.g., CSMA) handle variable traffic, while TDMA ensures collision-free access in
dense networks .

These techniques are analyzed in for underwater WSNs, emphasizing energy-efficient

MAC and routing for reliable monitoring.

(c) Suggestions for Improvements in Scalability and Energy Efficiency

 Scalability Improvements: Adopt hierarchical clustering to manage large

networks, as in . Use mobile sinks or drones for dynamic coverage in vast areas,
reducing fixed node density . Implement software-defined networking for adaptive
topology control .

 Energy Efficiency Improvements: Integrate energy harvesting (e.g., solar) with

low-power protocols . Optimize sleep schedules using AI-based duty cycling to
balance energy use . Employ cross-layer optimization for joint MAC-routing efficiency
.

These enhancements, drawn from and , can extend network lifetime while scaling to
thousands of nodes in monitoring applications.
Conclusion

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) offer a transformative approach to environmental

monitoring and data collection, using numerous small, energy-efficient devices that
communicate wirelessly. Their architecture prioritizes energy efficiency, scalability, and
robustness, with nodes working collaboratively despite limited resources. A protocol
stack, adapted from traditional networking, ensures efficient data handling and
communication, focusing on energy-saving techniques at every layer---from the physical
to the application layer.

Designing and deploying WSNs come with notable challenges. Power consumption is a
critical issue, necessitating energy-efficient hardware and protocols. Additionally, WSN
nodes must balance size, cost, and performance while maintaining long operational life,
often in harsh conditions. Deployment challenges include managing high node density,
ensuring reliable communication, and addressing the constraints of limited bandwidth.
While significant progress has been made, future advancements in WSN technology will
further enhance their practical applications across diverse industries.

References

NETWORKED EMBEDDED SYSTEMS by Richard Zurawski

Li S, Wang W, Zhang J. Efficient deployment surface area for underwater wireless sensor
networks. Proceedings of IEEE CCIS2012. 2012. [1]

Iqbal Z, Lee HN. Deployment strategy analysis for underwater cooperative wireless
sensor networks. 2015 IEEE International Conference on ICT Convergence (ICTC). 2015. [2]

Jain TK, Saini DS, Bhooshan SV. Increasing lifetime of a wireless sensor network using
multiple sinks. 2014 11th International Conference on Information Technology: New
Generations. 2014.[3]

Katti A, Lobiyal DK. Node deployment strategies for a 2D wireless sensor network. 2017
International Conference on Computing, Communication and Automation (ICCCA). 2017. [4]

Mukherjee M, Shu L, Fang W, Zhou Z. Sleep scheduling in wireless powered industrial

wireless sensor networks. 2017 16th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Information
Processing in Sensor Networks (IPSN). 2017. [5]
Sharma A. A review paper on wireless sensor network. International Journal of Innovative
Research in Computer Science & Technology. 2022. [6]

Fu Z, Al-Shareeda MA, Saare MA, Manickam S, Karuppayah S. Wireless sensor networks in

the internet of things: review, techniques, challenges, and future directions. Indonesian
Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. 2023. [7]

Singh P, Gupta OP, Saini S. A brief research study of wireless sensor network. Advances in
Computational Sciences and Technology. 2017. [8]

Mathioudakis I, White NM, Harris NR, Merrett GV. Wireless sensor networks: a case study
for energy efficient environmental monitoring. 2008. [9]

Sharma G, Shakya R, Dhakal P. Future trends of wireless sensor network. Journal of

Information Technology and Software Engineering. 2021. [10]

Mentor's review and signature

{width="6.0625in" height="3.3645833333333335in"}

1. NEA-assignment-1.docx

2. iqbal2015.pdf

3. ITNG.2014.90.pdf

4. katti2017.pdf

5. li2012.pdf

6. mukherjee2017.pdf

7. review-paper-on-wireless-sensor-network.pdf

8. wireless-sensor-network-research-papper-2.pdf

9. wireless-sensor-network-research-papper.pdf

10. 1508474.pdf
11. future-trends-of-wireless-sensor-network.pdf