Sensor Networks Definition

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Sensor Networks: Definition

ece.ncsu.edu

A sensor network is a group of specialized transducers with a communications infrastructure intended to monitor and record conditions at diverse locations.

Commonly monitored parameters are:

• temperature,

• humidity,

• pressure,

• wind direction and

• speed,

• illumination intensity,

• vibration intensity,

• sound intensity,

• power-line voltage,

• chemical concentrations,

• pollutant levels and

• vital body functions.

A sensor network consists of multiple detection stations called sensor nodes, each of which is small, lightweight and portable. Every sensor node is equipped with a:

• transducer,

• microcomputer,

• transceiver and

• power source.

The transducer generates electrical signals based on sensed physical effects and phenomena. The microcomputer processes and stores the sensor output. The transceiver, which can be hard-wired or wireless, receives commands from a central computer and transmits data to that computer. The power for each sensor node is derived from the electric utility or from a battery.

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