This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Wireless Sensor Networks, EWSN 2011, held in Bonn, Germany, in February 2011. The 14 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 87 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on routing and mobility, optimization techniques, MAC protocols, algorithms, and systems and abstractions.
This collection explores various applications and advancements in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It begins with a focus on campaign deployments, including the use of TigerCENSE for monitoring tiger movements and insights from a short-term deployment in the Ecuador Cloud Forest. The text discusses the integration of WSN technology within rescue teams and covers operating system support, programming, and energy management strategies in TinyOS and Contiki. Subsequent sections delve into life science automation and hallway monitoring, highlighting the distributed data processing capabilities of WSNs. Communication aspects are examined, including the evaluation of directional antennas and the implementation of combined positioning and communication systems. The work also addresses selective transmission techniques and experimental studies on IEEE 802.15.4 multichannel transmission to enhance RSSI-based performance. Additional contributions include multicasting routing protocols, performance control mechanisms, and innovative monitoring solutions for wildlife. The collection features practical demonstrations, such as bridging simulated sensor nodes with real-world applications and exploring communication strategies. It concludes with tools for sensor node prototyping and a focus on equitable access control in shared sensor networks, showcasing the versatility and potential of WSN technologies across various contexts.
Recent developments in embedded systems have highlighted several key concepts. The traditional focus has been on control systems for physical processes. Meanwhile, pervasive computing envisions everyday objects equipped with computational capabilities, sensing, and communication features. Additionally, wireless sensor networks have emerged, consisting of small devices that sense their environment and collaborate to achieve specific goals. These diverse systems share commonalities and complementary aspects, suggesting a promising integration into a cohesive system vision. Essential elements such as control, heterogeneity, wireless communication, and cost efficiency are vital across these systems. A future system concept should merge the strengths of all three approaches, ensuring effective control of physical processes, accommodating device diversity, and maintaining cost efficiency and wireless agility. The envisioned systems will consist of individual entities that work together towards a common objective, typically in sensing or control, while dynamically and loosely federating for cooperation without overextending their resources. This roadmap outlines the concept of cooperating objects, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize embedded systems by leveraging the best features of each approach.
Wireless Sensor Networks exemplify a broader field focused on Cooperating Objects, aiming to realize Weiser's vision of the disappearing computer. These small computing devices, equipped with wireless communication, can autonomously organize into networks to accomplish shared tasks. This book presents the research roadmap for Cooperating Objects as envisioned by the Embedded WiSeNts consortium, alongside its industrial and academic partners. Launched in September 2004 as a Coordination Action funded by the European Commission under IST/FP6, the Embedded WiSeNts project aimed to assess the state of Cooperating Objects and formulate a research roadmap for future programs. The book is the culmination of two years of research. Despite the excitement surrounding wireless sensor networks, significant challenges remain before they can transition from experimental technologies to effective real-world solutions. This insightful book highlights the research challenges, gaps, and trends related to cooperating objects and wireless sensor networks, making it essential reading for researchers in the field. It underscores the potential for ubiquitous computing through embedded wireless sensor networks to drive significant social and economic changes, emphasizing the need to translate sophisticated research into viable products and services. Overall, the book summarizes the current state of sensor and cooperating object research while sugge