A critical analysis of research potential, challenges and future directives in industrial wireless sensor networks

In recent years, Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks (IWSNs) have emerged as an important research theme with applications spanning a wide range of industries including automation, monitoring, process control, feedback systems and automotive. Wide scope of IWSNs applications ranging from small production units, large oil and gas industries to nuclear fission control, enables a fast-paced research in this field. Though IWSNs offer advantages of low cost, flexibility, scalability, self-healing, easy deployment and reformation, yet they pose certain limitations on available potential and introduce challenges on multiple fronts due to their susceptibility to highly complex and uncertain industrial environments. In this paper a detailed discussion on design objectives, challenges and solutions, for IWSNs, are presented. A careful evaluation of industrial systems, deadlines and possible hazards in industrial atmosphere are discussed. The paper also presents a thorough review of the existing standards and industrial protocols and gives a critical evaluation of potential of these standards and protocols along with a detailed discussion on available hardware platforms, specific industrial energy harvesting techniques and their capabilities. The paper lists main service providers for IWSNs solutions and gives insight of future trends and research gaps in the field of IWSNs

RFID chips: enabling the efficient exchange of information

More and more companies are using RFID radio chip technology to boost their competitiveness. Yet RFID not only enhances the efficiency of the company deploying it. It also promotes innovativeness in the economy as a whole. Nevertheless, not every RFID project driven by a technological vision will necessarily become a commercial success for the user. In any event, though, RFID will enable producers to tap sizeable potential. Considering the host of potential application areas – particularly in production, the distributive trade and the transport industry – RFID turnover is likely to increase. With the shift in market shares for individual RFID components and the exodus of production of less sophisticated products from the high-wage countries, Asia is poised to become the continent with the highest turnover.RFID, technology, transportation, logistics

Wireless body sensor networks for health-monitoring applications

This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article accepted for publication in Physiological Measurement. The publisher is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0967-3334/29/11/R01