Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are a special class of ad hoc network in which network nodes composed of tiny sensors pass data such as temperature, pressure, and humidity through the network to a central location. Wireless sensor multimedia networks (WSMNs) are a special category of WSNs in which the sensor nodes are small cameras and microphones

Traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) capture scalar data such as temperature, vibration, pressure, or humidity. Motivated by the success of WSNs and also with the emergence of new technology in the form of low-cost image sensors, researchers have proposed combining image and audio sensors with WSNs to form wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). This introduces practical and research challenges, because multimedia sensors, particularly image sensors, generate huge amounts of data to be processed and distributed within the network, while sensor nodes have restricted battery power and hardware resources. This book describes how reconfigurable hardware technologies such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) offer cost-effective, flexible platforms for implementing WMSNs, with a main focus on developing efficient algorithms and architectures for information reduction, including event detection, event compression, and multicamera processing for hardware implementations. The authors include a comprehensive review of wireless multimedia sensor networks, a complete specification of a very low-complexity, low-memory FPGA WMSN node processor, and several case studies that illustrate information reduction algorithms for visual event compression, detection, and fusion. The book will be of interest to academic researchers, R&D engineers, and computer science and engineering graduate students engaged with signal and video processing, computer vision, embedded systems, and sensor networks.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the major aspects in designing, implementing, and deploying wireless sensor networks by discussing present research on WSNs and their applications in various disciplines. It familiarizes readers with the current state of WSNs and how such networks can be improved to achieve effectiveness and efficiency. It starts with a detailed introduction of wireless sensor networks and their applications and proceeds with layered architecture of WSNs. It also addresses prominent issues such as mobility, heterogeneity, fault-tolerance, intermittent connectivity, and cross layer optimization along with a number of existing solutions to stimulate future research.

This book presents an in-depth study on the recent advances in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The authors describe the existing WSN applications and discuss the research efforts being undertaken in this field. Theoretical analysis and factors influencing protocol design are also highlighted. The authors explore state-of-the-art protocols for WSN protocol stack in transport, routing, data link, and physical layers. Moreover, the synchronization and localization problems in WSNs are investigated along with existing solutions. Furthermore, cross-layer solutions are described. Finally, developing areas of WSNs including sensor-actor networks, multimedia sensor networks, and WSN applications in underwater and underground environments are explored. The book is written in an accessible, textbook style, and includes problems and solutions to assist learning. Key Features: The ultimate guide to recent advances and research into WSNs Discusses the most important problems and issues that arise when programming and designing WSN systems Shows why the unique features of WSNs – self-organization, cooperation, correlation -- will enable new applications that will provide the end user with intelligence and a better understanding of the environment Provides an overview of the existing evaluation approaches for WSNs including physical testbeds and software simulation environments Includes examples and learning exercises with a solutions manual; supplemented by an accompanying website containing PPT-slides. Wireless Sensor Networks is an essential textbook for advanced students on courses in wireless communications, networking and computer science. It will also be of interest to researchers, system and chip designers, network planners, technical mangers and other professionals in these fields.

Infrastructure for Homeland Security Environments Wireless Sensor Networks helps readers discover the emerging field of low-cost standards-based sensors that promise a high order of spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy in an ever-increasing universe of applications. It shares the latest advances in science and engineering paving the way towards a large plethora of new applications in such areas as infrastructure protection and security, healthcare, energy, food safety, RFID, ZigBee, and processing. Unlike other books on wireless sensor networks that focus on limited topics in the field, this book is a broad introduction that covers all the major technology, standards, and application topics. It contains everything readers need to know to enter this burgeoning field, including current applications and promising research and development; communication and networking protocols; middleware architecture for wireless sensor networks; and security and management. The straightforward and engaging writing style of this book makes even complex concepts and processes easy to follow and understand. In addition, it offers several features that help readers grasp the material and then apply their knowledge in designing their own wireless sensor network systems: * Examples illustrate how concepts are applied to the development and application of * wireless sensor networks * Detailed case studies set forth all the steps of design and implementation needed to solve real-world problems * Chapter conclusions that serve as an excellent review by stressing the chapter's key concepts * References in each chapter guide readers to in-depth discussions of individual topics This book is ideal for networking designers and engineers who want to fully exploit this new technology and for government employees who are concerned about homeland security. With its examples, it is appropriate for use as a coursebook for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.

Because they provide practical machine-to-machine communication at a very low cost, the popularity of wireless sensor networks is expected to skyrocket in the next few years, duplicating the recent explosion of wireless LANs. Wireless Sensor Networks: Architectures and Protocols describes how to build these networks, from the layers of the

A concise and clear guide to the concepts and applications of wireless sensor networks, ideal for students, practitioners and researchers.