Communicating Embedded Systems: Networks Applications

Chapter 3

Self-Management of Ad Hoc Sensor Networks ¹

3.1. Introduction

A wireless sensor network can be thought of as a particular kind of ad hoc sensor network that is generally made up of a very large number of nodes, called sensors, which are deployed in remote environments where maintenance by technicians and local management is often extremely difficult or impossible.

Self-management defines systems that are capable of managing themselves with minimal human intervention or no intervention at all [KEP 03]. This management paradigm can be applied to numerous contexts, from the single software component to the most sophisticated information technology systems.

Wireless sensor networks are often deployed in hostile environments. They consist of elements that present important restrictions in terms of resources. The use of the self-management paradigm is often the best method of implanting and using management services and functionality in wireless sensor networks [BRA 07].

3.2. Wireless sensor networks

3.2.1. Fields of application for sensor networks

The network may consist of various types of sensors (seismic, thermal, visual, infrared, sound, etc.) designed to survey a wide variety of ambient parameters, such as temperature, humidity levels, vehicular movement, luminosity, pressure, noise levels, the presence or absence of objects or even physical properties, such as speed, direction of movement, and size.

The tandem of microsensors and wireless connections opens new areas ...