A Suitable MAC Protocol for Transmit-Only Sensor Nodes in a Housing Community Wireless Network

This paper investigates the development of a suitable Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for a housing community wireless network that consists of both wireless infrastructural mesh nodes and wireless sensor nodes. In this network, transmit-only sensor nodes are employed in order to obtain a low cost, easy to deploy and low power solution. However, such sensor nodes have no way of verifying successful data transfer and it is, therefore, imperative that the associated MAC protocol provides a high level of confidence for transferring this data. In this paper, we examine methods of packaging and transmitting sensor node data in order to obtain such a MAC protocol for the aforementioned housing community wireless network. Microchipâs rfPIC is used as the platform for the sensor node. Some preliminary analysis and results are presented within

‘Cheap & Cheerful’ – Demonstrating Control to 1st Year Engineering Students

• Illustrating the concept of system control to Electronic Engineering students is typically achieved through simulation and theory. However, we wanted a hardware demonstration ... • Existing commercial hardware products are simply too expensive and too bulky to adequately equip a typical undergraduate Engineering hardware-based laboratory … • So, we built our own !

A Suitable MAC Protocol for Transmit-Only Sensor Nodes in a Housing Community Wireless Network

This paper investigates the development of a suitable Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for a housing community wireless network that consists of both wireless infrastructural mesh nodes and wireless sensor nodes. In this network, transmit-only sensor nodes are employed in order to obtain a low cost, easy to deploy and low power solution. However, such sensor nodes have no way of verifying successful data transfer and it is, therefore, imperative that the associated MAC protocol provides a high level of confidence for transferring this data. In this paper, we examine methods of packaging and transmitting sensor node data in order to obtain such a MAC protocol for the aforementioned housing community wireless network. Microchipâs rfPIC is used as the platform for the sensor node. Some preliminary analysis and results are presented within

The Design and Implementation of a Wireless Mesh Sensor Network for a Housing Community

Wireless mesh sensor networks typically consist of a cluster of intelligent radio nodes which transfer data between each other directly in a hop, or indirectly through two or more hops via adjacent nodes. These nodes contain one or more sensors. Wireless mesh sensor networks provide a solution in monitoring and controlling the physical world around us and offer far reaching potential applications. This paper presents a novel design, implementation and prototype realization of one such potential application, namely the use of a wireless mesh sensor network to monitor the events and activities in a housing community environment. In this network, transmit-only sensor nodes are employed in order to obtain a low cost, easy to deploy and low power solution. A small-scaled version of the proposed network is deployed in a controlled environment, allowing for practical testing and verification of the final design. The results obtained are presented and discussed within

Teaching engineering design through Lego Mindstorms

This paper examines a particular methodology of teaching engineering design to undergraduate engineering students, which relies on Lego® Mindstormsâ¢. A number of important issues are addressed, including the timing of the design module within the programme, prior knowledge required and assessment components. The module, which has been running for three years, was found to have many positive attributes, not only in relation to the core design activity, but also in generating good team-building and engaging students with the degree programme

Design of a wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community

Wireless mesh sensor networks are typically a cluster of intelligent radio nodes which transfer data between each other directly in a hop, or indirectly through two or more hops via adjacent nodes. These nodes contain one or more sensors. Wireless mesh sensor networks provide a solution in monitoring and controlling the physical world around us and offer far reaching potential applications. This thesis presents a design and prototype development of one such potential application, namely the use of a wireless mesh sensor network to monitor the events and activities in a housing community environment. The first part of this thesis examines wireless mesh sensor networks in detail. It looks at the technology behind these networks and the methods employed in transferring data between wireless nodes. The second part of this thesis focuses on the system design, implementation and prototype realisation of the wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community. It shows how an application specific approach can simplify the design of the system. In addition it presents two novel MAC protocols for the transfer of data from transmitonly sensor nodes to fixed infrastructural mesh nodes

Design of a wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community

Wireless mesh sensor networks are typically a cluster of intelligent radio nodes which transfer data between each other directly in a hop, or indirectly through two or more hops via adjacent nodes. These nodes contain one or more sensors. Wireless mesh sensor networks provide a solution in monitoring and controlling the physical world around us and offer far reaching potential applications. This thesis presents a design and prototype development of one such potential application, namely the use of a wireless mesh sensor network to monitor the events and activities in a housing community environment. The first part of this thesis examines wireless mesh sensor networks in detail. It looks at the technology behind these networks and the methods employed in transferring data between wireless nodes. The second part of this thesis focuses on the system design, implementation and prototype realisation of the wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community. It shows how an application specific approach can simplify the design of the system. In addition it presents two novel MAC protocols for the transfer of data from transmitonly sensor nodes to fixed infrastructural mesh nodes

Design of a wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community

Wireless mesh sensor networks are typically a cluster of intelligent radio nodes which transfer data between each other directly in a hop, or indirectly through two or more hops via adjacent nodes. These nodes contain one or more sensors. Wireless mesh sensor networks provide a solution in monitoring and controlling the physical world around us and offer far reaching potential applications. This thesis presents a design and prototype development of one such potential application, namely the use of a wireless mesh sensor network to monitor the events and activities in a housing community environment. The first part of this thesis examines wireless mesh sensor networks in detail. It looks at the technology behind these networks and the methods employed in transferring data between wireless nodes. The second part of this thesis focuses on the system design, implementation and prototype realisation of the wireless mesh sensor network for a housing community. It shows how an application specific approach can simplify the design of the system. In addition it presents two novel MAC protocols for the transfer of data from transmitonly sensor nodes to fixed infrastructural mesh nodes

‘Cheap & Cheerful’ – Demonstrating Control to 1st Year Engineering Students

• Illustrating the concept of system control to Electronic Engineering students is typically achieved through simulation and theory. However, we wanted a hardware demonstration ... • Existing commercial hardware products are simply too expensive and too bulky to adequately equip a typical undergraduate Engineering hardware-based laboratory … • So, we built our own !

A Suitable MAC Protocol for Transmit-Only Sensor Nodes in a Housing Community Wireless Network

This paper investigates the development of a suitable Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for a housing community wireless network that consists of both wireless infrastructural mesh nodes and wireless sensor nodes. In this network, transmit-only sensor nodes are employed in order to obtain a low cost, easy to deploy and low power solution. However, such sensor nodes have no way of verifying successful data transfer and it is, therefore, imperative that the associated MAC protocol provides a high level of confidence for transferring this data. In this paper, we examine methods of packaging and transmitting sensor node data in order to obtain such a MAC protocol for the aforementioned housing community wireless network. Microchipâs rfPIC is used as the platform for the sensor node. Some preliminary analysis and results are presented within