Sensor Network Architecture

Sensor Network Architecture is used in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). It can be used in various places like schools, hospitals, buildings, roads, etc for various applications like disaster management, security management, crisis management, etc. There are 2 types of architecture used in WSN: Layered Network Architecture, and Clustered Architecture. These are explained as following below. 1. Layered Network Architecture: Layered Network Architecture makes use of a few hundred sensor nodes and a single powerful base station. Network nodes are organized into concentric Layers. It consists of 5 layers and three cross layers. The 5 layers are:

• Power Management Plane
• Mobility Management Plane
• Task Management Plane
• It is a 2-tier hierarchy clustering architecture.
• It is a distributed algorithm for organizing the sensor nodes into groups called clusters.
• The cluster head nodes in each of the autonomously formed clusters create the Time-division multiple access (TDMA) schedules.
• It makes use of the concept called Data Fusion which makes it energy efficient.

Advantages:

Scalability: WSN architecture can be designed to scale to large numbers of nodes, allowing for extensive data collection and monitoring in a wide range of applications.

Flexibility: WSN architecture can be designed to be flexible, allowing for easy adaptation to different environments and applications.

Energy efficiency: WSN architecture can be designed to be energy-efficient, allowing for extended battery life and reduced energy consumption.

Distributed processing: WSN architecture can be designed to include distributed processing, allowing for efficient data processing and analysis at the node level.

Self-organizing: WSN architecture can be designed to be self-organizing, allowing for nodes to automatically configure themselves and communicate with each other without the need for manual intervention.

Disadvantages:

Complexity: WSN architecture can be complex, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise to design and maintain.

Security vulnerabilities: WSN architecture can be vulnerable to security threats such as eavesdropping, message alteration, and node impersonation, which can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data.

Interference: WSN architecture can be susceptible to interference from other wireless devices, leading to reduced network performance and reliability.

Cost: WSN architecture can be costly to implement, requiring expensive hardware and software components.

Limited range: WSN architecture can be limited by the range of wireless communication, which can restrict the coverage area and limit the types of applications that can be supported.