THAWS: automated wireless sensor network development and deployment

This research focuses on the design and implementation of a tool to speed-up the development and deployment of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. The THAWS (Tyndall Heterogeneous Automated Wireless Sensors) tool can be used to quickly create and configure application-specific sensor networks. THAWS presents the user with a choice of options, in order to characterise the desired functionality of the network. With this information, THAWS generates the necessary code from pre-written templates and well-tested, optimized software modules. This is then automatically compiled to form binary files for each node in the network. Wireless programming of the network completes the task of targeting the wireless network towards a specific sensing application. THAWS is an adaptable tool that works with both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks built from wireless sensor nodes that have been developed in the Tyndall National Institute

THAWS: automated design and deployment of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks

This research focuses on the design and implementation of a tool to speed-up the development and deployment of heterogeneous wireless sensor networks. The THAWS (Tyndall Heterogeneous Automated Wireless Sensors) tool can be used to quickly create and configure application-specific sensor networks, based on a list of application requirements and constraints. THAWS presents the user with a choice of options, in order to gain this information on the functionality of the network. With this information, THAWS uses code generation techniques to create the necessary code from pre-written templates and well-tested, optimized software modules from a library, which includes an implementation of novel plug-and-play sensor interface. These library modules can also be modified at the code generation stage. The application code and necessary library modules are then automatically compiled to form binary instruction files for each node in the network. The binary instruction files then wirelessly propagate through the network, and reprogram the nodes. This completes the task of targeting the wireless network towards a specific sensing application. THAWS is an adaptable tool that works with both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks built from wireless sensor nodes that have been developed in the Tyndall National Institute. Its advantage over traditional methods of WSN development is simplification of development

Wireless sensor node design for heterogeneous networks

Two complementary wireless sensor nodes for building two-tiered heterogeneous networks are presented. A larger node with a 25 mm by 25 mm size acts as the backbone of the network, and can handle complex data processing. A smaller, cheaper node with a 10 mm by 10 mm size can perform simpler sensor-interfacing tasks. The 25mm node is based on previous work that has been done in the Tyndall National Institute that created a modular wireless sensor node. In this work, a new 25mm module is developed operating in the 433/868 MHz frequency bands, with a range of 3.8 km. The 10mm node is highly miniaturised, while retaining a high level of modularity. It has been designed to support very energy efficient operation for applications with low duty cycles, with a sleep current of 3.3 μA. Both nodes use commercially available components and have low manufacturing costs to allow the construction of large networks. In addition, interface boards for communicating with nodes have been developed for both the 25mm and 10mm nodes. These interface boards provide a USB connection, and support recharging of a Li-ion battery from the USB power supply. This paper discusses the design goals, the design methods, and the resulting implementation

Energy-aware dynamic route management for THAWS

In this research we focus on the Tyndall 25mm and 10mm nodes energy-aware topology management to extend sensor network lifespan and optimise node power consumption. The two tiered Tyndall Heterogeneous Automated Wireless Sensors (THAWS) tool is used to quickly create and configure application-specific sensor networks. To this end, we propose to implement a distributed route discovery algorithm and a practical energy-aware reaction model on the 25mm nodes. Triggered by the energy-warning events, the miniaturised Tyndall 10mm data collector nodes adaptively and periodically change their association to 25mm base station nodes, while 25mm nodes also change the inter-connections between themselves, which results in reconfiguration of the 25mm nodes tier topology. The distributed routing protocol uses combined weight functions to balance the sensor network traffic. A system level simulation is used to quantify the benefit of the route management framework when compared to other state of the art approaches in terms of the system power-saving

Modeling power in multi-functionality sensor network applications

Rachit Agarwal, Rafael V. Martinez-Catala, Sean Harte, Cedric Segard, Brendan O'Flynn, "Modeling Power in Multi-functionality Sensor Network Applications," sensorcomm, pp.507-512, 2008 Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Sensor Technologies and Applications, August 25-August 31 2008, Cap Esterel, FranceWith the migration of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) over various evolving applications, power estimation and profiling during the design cycle become critical issues and present hurdles in reducing the design time. Furthermore, with a growing size of the network, simulating the behavior of each sensor node is not feasible. It is important to devise an approach that provides a network-wide picture of power consumption and of variations in power usage under changes in the network and/or node application in the network. In this paper, we present a modular power estimation technique which simplifies the power modeling of any sensor network application. In particular, we are interested in analyzing the behavior of power consumption if one or more modules of the WSN platform in the application are changed during the design cycle or after the deployment. The proposed technique is susceptible to applications changes on the fly and is particularly beneficial in networks with large number of nodes. We perform experiments modifying parameters of a ZigBee based sensor network application such as packet size, sampling rate, functionality (encryption) and sensor types. We present the results, demonstrating an error less than 3% in all the experiments performed, and insights into the results

The Tyndall mote. enabling wireless research and practical sensor application development

Wireless sensor networks are fast becoming a major technology driver, with applications seen ranging from medical and environmental monitoring to wearable sensor systems. Different application and demonstrators require specific hardware implementations. The 25mm modular stackable layer solution, developed by the AES group at the Tyndall National Institute, has proven to yield an easy solution for integration of sensors to a miniaturised communications platform enabling sensor network development and deployment. Representative wireless applications, through research collaborations throughout Europe and Ireland are presented here. A number of major applications are outlined, the development of a wearable inertial sensor system (WIMS) and a water monitoring application. Also outlined are some general WSN projects enabled by Tyndalls National Access Programme (NAP)

The Tyndall mote. enabling wireless research and practical sensor application development

Wireless sensor networks are fast becoming a major technology driver, with applications seen ranging from medical and environmental monitoring to wearable sensor systems. Different application and demonstrators require specific hardware implementations. The 25mm modular stackable layer solution, developed by the AES group at the Tyndall National Institute, has proven to yield an easy solution for integration of sensors to a miniaturised communications platform enabling sensor network development and deployment. Representative wireless applications, through research collaborations throughout Europe and Ireland are presented here. A number of major applications are outlined, the development of a wearable inertial sensor system (WIMS) and a water monitoring application. Also outlined are some general WSN projects enabled by Tyndalls National Access Programme (NAP)

Preface of the 2011 IAENG International Conference on Electrical Engineering Special Session: Design, analysis and tools for integrated circuits and systems

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DATICS-2010: Welcome message from workshop organizers: FutureTech 2010

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Preface of the 2010 IAENG International Conference on Electrical Engineering special session: Design, analysis and tools for integrated circuits and systems

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