The ultimate goal of micro-systems is ad hoc arrays of wireless, self powered intelligent sensors which self-assemble on installation and adjust to a changing number of sensors and/or changing sensor location. The sensors and the network infrastructure must be low cost, disposable (recyclable), unobtrusive and these ultimate goals impact on all aspects of sensor design and network protocols. In this paper, a number of strategies employed to achieve these goals are outlined. In particular, some recent technological developments have facilitated more efficient sensor networks. These include smart antennas, low power electronics and sensors, creative methods of data reduction and "tipping bucket" data streaming. Sensor networks with lifetimes of more than one year are now possible.

Date Published: 28 February 2005
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 5649, Smart Structures, Devices, and Systems II, (28 February 2005); doi: 10.1117/12.581899

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5649:
Smart Structures, Devices, and Systems II
Said F. Al-Sarawi, Editor(s)