A revolution is underway in the enabling technologies that provide improved measurement and management of large-scale environments. Advances in low-cost sensors combined with advances in low-cost/power communications networks (Wireless Sensor Networks – WSNs) are enabling increased spatial and temporal densities of monitoring and control. The traditional model of a small number of high precision sensors/actuators with expensive wired/wireless backhaul communications networks is being replaced by an alternative model of large numbers of sensors linked by inexpensive multi-hop WSNs.
The key benefits of adopting WSN-based solutions for sensing scenarios are:
Increased spatial and temporal accuracy of the information that can be obtained.
Techniques such as multi-modal sensors, data fusion, event correlation, etc. can improve the reliability of detection.
Solutions can be rapidly deployed, for example when managing a crisis.
Inherently robust solutions as self-forming networks remain operational even if some of nodes are incapacitated.
Back-end applications and services are able to optimise resource usage, detect anomalous events, manage crises, predict/anticipate future behaviour and provide information to policy makers and planners.
We have experience in sensors and WSN technology through numerous ongoing research and development projects, driving standards and developing protocols.
Ad Hoc & Mesh Networks
Ad hoc networking technologies have been gaining popularity and maturity in the last few years. Ad hoc networks are infrastructure-less, spontaneous, self-organising, multi-hop, and wireless networks, where infrastructure such as base stations is not necessary. Stations or devices will spontaneously be able to communicate with each other by the virtue of proximity. If needed, the devices can also act as relay points, forwarding traffic for other devices in the network to achieve multi-hop communications.
Ad hoc networking can be applied in scenarios such as disaster recovery communications, military battlefield communications and crisis management situations. In a disaster recovery communications scenario, teams of recovery personnel can communicate and collaborate with each other using their devices, even if the conventional communications infrastructure has been damaged.
Mesh networks are similar to ad hoc networks in that they are typically wireless multi-hop communications networks. However in mesh networks, a backbone network is created to provide a more stable and higher performance solution. The backbone may either be permanently installed, for example in a town centre, or it may be rapidly deployable using portable communications nodes.
We have experience in the development of ad hoc and mesh networking technology and carries out research in this area through participating in EC projects.