Wireless Sensor Network Question

1. What are the differences between MANET and WSN ?

MANET(Mobile Ad Hoc Network) WSN(Wireless Sensor Network)
Communication is Bi-directional, where each node can send and receive messages. Mostly unidirectional, with sensors sending data to a sink or base station.
Consists of mobile devices like smartphones, laptops, and vehicles. Consists of sensor nodes with limited processing and communication capabilities.
Energy Consumption Generally higher due to frequent topology changes and active communication. Lower energy consumption is prioritized to extend node lifespan.
Peer-to-peer or multi-hop communication between nodes. Data is mostly gathered from sensors and transmitted to a central base station.
Used for mobile communication in dynamic environments. Designed for environmental monitoring and data collection.

2. Give the general architecture of a sensor node. Describe the functions of each of its modules briefly.

3. Explain a typical architecture of a Wireless Sensor Network.

4. Describe any 4 industrial applications of a WSN.

  1. General Engineering
    1. Smart office spaces: Areas are equipped with light, temperature, and movement sensors, microphones for voice activation, and pressure sensors in chairs. Air flow and temperature can be regulated locally for one room rather than centrally.
    2. Automotive telematics : Cars, which comprise a network of dozens of sensors and actuators, are networked into a system of systems to improve the safety and efficiency of traffic
  2. Agriculture and Environmental Monitoring
    1. Precision agriculture: The farmers can monitor and control the agricultural and environmental parameters such as air temperature, air humidity, light, soil moisture.
    2. Disaster detection :Forest fire and floods can be detected early
  3. Civil Engineering
    1. Monitoring of structures :Sensors may be placed in bridges to detect and warn of structural weakness
    2. Urban planning : Urban planners can track groundwater patterns, carbon dioxide emission in a city
  4. Military Applications
    1. Asset monitoring and management : commanders can monitor the status and locations of troops, weapons, and supplies to improve military command, control, communications, and computing.
    2. Surveillance and battle-space monitoring : Vibration and magnetic sensors can report vehicle and personnel movement

5. Define an Electric Sensor. Describe briefly its components.

An electrical sensor (also called an electronic sensor) is a device that detects a physical parameter of interest (e.g. heat, light, sound) and converts it into electrical signal that can be measured and used by an electrical or electronic system.