Wireless Sensor Networks
This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), a critical component in modern embedded systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). Students will delve into the fundamental concepts underpinning WSNs, including sensor node architecture, wireless communication protocols, network topologies, and data aggregation techniques. The course emphasizes practical aspects of WSN design and implementation, addressing challenges related to power management, communication reliability, security, and scalability in resource-constrained environments. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on laboratory exercises, students will gain proficiency in designing, deploying, and managing WSNs for various applications. Topics include low-power radio technologies (e.g., Zigbee, LoRa, Bluetooth Low Energy), medium access control (MAC) protocols, routing algorithms optimized for energy conservation, and methods for processing and visualizing sensor data. The course prepares students to develop robust and efficient wireless sensing solutions across diverse engineering domains.
Prerequisites
Course outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
### EMB 340: Wireless Sensor Networks **Course Outcomes:** Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Explain the fundamental architecture, components, and characteristics of wireless sensor networks. 2. Analyze various wireless communication technologies and protocols suitable for WSNs, including low-power radios. 3. Design and evaluate energy-efficient routing and MAC protocols for data collection in WSNs. 4. Implement basic sensor network applications, including data acquisition, processing, and transmission on embedded platforms. 5. Assess security challenges and apply appropriate measures in WSN deployments. 6. Critically evaluate WSN applications and deployment strategies for real-world scenarios. **Weekly Topic List:** * **Week 1:** Introduction to Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs): Concepts, Architectures, and Applications * **Week 2:** Sensor Node Hardware: Microcontrollers, Sensors, Transceivers, and Power Sources * **Week 3:** Wireless Communication Fundamentals: RF Basics, Modulation, and Antennas * **Week 4:** Low-Power Wireless Technologies: Zigbee, LoRa, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) * **Week 5:** MAC Protocols for WSNs: Contention-Based vs. Schedule-Based Approaches * **Week 6:** Routing Protocols for WSNs: Flat, Hierarchical, and Location-Based Routing * **Week 7:** Data Aggregation and In-Network Processing * **Week 8:** Comprehensive Midterm Review * **Week 9:** Power Management and Energy Harvesting in WSNs * **Week 10:** Operating Systems and Programming Models for WSNs (e.g., TinyOS, Contiki) * **Week 11:** Security and Privacy in Wireless Sensor Networks * **Week 12:** WSN Deployment, Localization, and Time Synchronization * **Week 13:** Case Studies and Advanced WSN Applications (IoT Integration) * **Week 14:** Final Review **Grading Policy:** * Knowledge Checks: 15% * Assignments/Labs: 30% * Quizzes: 25% * Final Exam: 30% **Required Materials:** * Textbook: *Wireless Sensor Networks: An Information Processing Approach* by Feng Zhao and Leonidas Guibas (Elsevier) * Development Board: Nordic Semiconductor nRF52 Series or similar low-power BLE/Thread/Zigbee capable board * Software: Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for selected microcontroller (e.g., VS Code with platform extensions, Keil), sensor data visualization tools