SENSOR NETWORK APPLICATIONS

The sensor networks use intelligent sensors and pervasive networking technology to instrument the physical world which has in turn increased the density of instrumentation and also quality of information being processed.

By pervasive networking, we mean the ability for devices to (semi-) autonomously arrange themselves into local networks and exchange information through these networks. These devices are also known as ubiquitous computing devices or pervasive computing and are integrated into everyday objects and activities. In essence, pervasive computing is formally defined as devices which fit the human environment instead of forcing humans in theirs.

Using this concept, the wide range of uses for which WSN (Wireless Sensor Networks) can be put into can be broadly differentiated as:

·         Monitoring space,

·         Monitoring things, and

·         Monitoring the interactions of things with each other and the encompassing space.

Monitoring Space- This category includes Environmental and habitat monitoring, precision agriculture, indoor climate control, surveillance, treaty verification, and intelligent alarms.

Monitoring things- The second category includes structural monitoring, eco-physiology, condition-based equipment maintenance, medical diagnostics, and urban terrain mapping.

The third category forms the critical applications which involves monitoring complex interactions, including wildlife habitats, disaster management, emergency response, ubiquitous computing environments, asset tracking, healthcare, and manufacturing process flow.