Privacy preservation in wireless sensor networks: A state-of-the-art survey

Much of the existing work on wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has focused on addressing the power and computational resource constraints of WSNs by the design of specific routing, MAC, and cross-layer protocols. Recently, there have been heightened privacy concerns over the data collected by and transmitted through WSNs. The wireless transmission required by a WSN, and the self-organizing nature of its architecture, makes privacy protection for WSNs an especially challenging problem. This paper provides a state-of-the-art survey of privacy-preserving techniques for WSNs. In particular, we review two main categories of privacy-preserving techniques for protecting two types of private information, data-oriented and context-oriented privacy, respectively. We also discuss a number of important open challenges for future research. Our hope is that this paper sheds some light on a fruitful direction of future research for privacy preservation in WSNs.     

Securing wireless sensor networks: a survey

The significant advances of hardware manufacturing technology and the development of efficient software algorithms make technically and economically feasible a network composed of numerous, small, low-cost sensors using wireless communications, that is, a wireless sensor network. WSNs have attracted intensive interest from both academia and industry due to their wide application in civil and military scenarios. In hostile scenarios, it is very important to protect WSNs from malicious attacks. Due to various resource limitations and the salient features of a wireless sensor network, the security design for such networks is significantly challenging. In this article, we present a comprehensive survey of WSN security issues that were investigated by researchers in recent years and that shed light on future directions for WSN security.     

Routing techniques in wireless sensor networks: a survey

Wireless sensor networks consist of small nodes with sensing, computation, and wireless communications capabilities. Many routing, power management, and data dissemination protocols have been specifically designed for WSNs where energy awareness is an essential design issue. Routing protocols in WSNs might differ depending on the application and network architecture. In this article we present a survey of state-of-the-art routing techniques in WSNs. We first outline the design challenges for routing protocols in WSNs followed by a comprehensive survey of routing techniques. Overall, the routing techniques are classified into three categories based on the underlying network structure: flit, hierarchical, and location-based routing. Furthermore, these protocols can be classified into multipath-based, query-based, negotiation-based, QoS-based, and coherent-based depending on the protocol operation. We study the design trade-offs between energy and communication overhead savings in every routing paradigm. We also highlight the advantages and performance issues of each routing technique. The article concludes with possible future research areas.     

A survey of transport protocols for wireless sensor networks

In this article we present a survey of transport protocols for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). We first highlight several unique aspects of WSNs, and describe the basic design criteria and challenges of transport protocols, including energy-efficiency, quality of service, reliability, and congestion control. We then provide a summary and comparison of existing transport protocols for WSNs. Finally, we discuss several open research problems.     

基于簇结构的无线传感器网络路由研究综述

介绍了典型分簇无线传感器网络路由协议的分类,总结了分簇路由协议的研究进展。针对无线传感器网络从同构型网络向异构型网络发展的趋势和特点,指出了路由协议向节点间相互协作的发展方向,并且在设计路由协作算法时可采用与无线传感器网络极为相似的多Agent系统模型。     

A survey on routing protocols for wireless sensor networks

Recent advances in wireless sensor networks have led to many new protocols specifically designed for sensor networks where energy awareness is an essential consideration. Most of the attention, however, has been given to the routing protocols since they might differ depending on the application and network architecture. This paper surveys recent routing protocols for sensor networks and presents a classification for the various approaches pursued. The three main categories explored in this paper are data-centric, hierarchical and location-based. Each routing protocol is described and discussed under the appropriate category. Moreover, protocols using contemporary methodologies such as network flow and quality of service modeling are also discussed. The paper concludes with open research issues.     

Clock synchronization for wireless sensor networks: a survey

Recent advances in micro-electromechanical (MEMS) technology have led to the development of small, low-cost, and low-power sensors. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are large-scale networks of such sensors, dedicated to observing and monitoring various aspects of the physical world. In such networks, data from each sensor is agglomerated using data fusion to form a single meaningful result, which makes time synchronization between sensors highly desirable. This paper surveys and evaluates existing clock synchronization protocols based on a palette of factors like precision, accuracy, cost, and complexity. The design considerations presented here can help developers either in choosing an existing synchronization protocol or in defining a new protocol that is best suited to the specific needs of a sensor-network application. Finally, the survey provides a valuable framework by which designers can compare new and existing synchronization protocols.     

MAC protocols for wireless sensor networks: a survey

Wireless sensor networks are appealing to researchers due to their wide range of application potential in areas such as target detection and tracking, environmental monitoring, industrial process monitoring, and tactical systems. However, low sensing ranges result in dense networks and thus it becomes necessary to achieve an efficient medium-access protocol subject to power constraints. Various medium-access control (MAC) protocols with different objectives have been proposed for wireless sensor networks. In this article, we first outline the sensor network properties that are crucial for the design of MAC layer protocols. Then, we describe several MAC protocols proposed for sensor networks, emphasizing their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we point out open research issues with regard to MAC layer design.     

无线多媒体传感器网络视频编码研究

在资源受限的无线多媒体传感器网络中存在大量的视频数据需要处理和传输.为充分地利用这些有限的资源,需要设计一个能够综合考虑能量消耗和压缩率、图像质量之间平衡的视频编码方案.对无线多媒体传感器网络中视频编码技术的发展现状、面临的挑战和设计目标进行了讨论.对无线多媒体传感器网络视频编码现有的解决方案和理论研究成果进行探讨,分...     

Energy balanced data propagation in wireless sensor networks

We study the problem of energy-balanced data propagation in wireless sensor networks. The energy balance property guarantees that the average per sensor energy dissipation is the same for all sensors in the network, during the entire execution of the data propagation protocol. This property is important since it prolongs the network’:s lifetime by avoiding early energy depletion of sensors. We propose a new algorithm that in each step decides whether to propagate data one-hop towards the final destination (the sink), or to send data directly to the sink. This randomized choice balances the (cheap) one-hop transimssions with the direct transimissions to the sink, which are more expensive but “bypass” the sensors lying close to the sink. Note that, in most protocols, these close to the sink sensors tend to be overused and die out early. By a detailed analysis we precisely estimate the probabilities for each propagation choice in order to guarantee energy balance. The needed estimation can easily be performed by current sensors using simple to obtain information. Under some assumptions, we also derive a closed form for these probabilities. The fact (shown by our analysis) that direct (expensive) transmissions to the sink are needed only rarely, shows that our protocol, besides energy-balanced, is also energy efficient. This work has been partially supported by the IST/FET/GC Programme of the European Union under contract numbers IST-2001-33135 (CRESCCO) and 6FP 001907 (DELIS). A perliminary version of the work appeared in WMAN 2004 [11]. Charilaos Efthymiou graduated form the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department (CEID) of the University of Patras, Greece. He received his MSc from the same department with advisor in S. Nikoletseas. He currently continuous his Ph.D studies in CEID with advisor L. Kirousis. His research interest include Probabilistic Techniques and Random Graphs, Randomized Algorithms in Computationally Hard Problems, Stochastic Processes and its Applications to Computer Science. Dr. Sotiris Nikoletseas is currently a Senior Researcher and Managing Director of Research Unit 1 (“Foundations of Computer Science, Relevant Technologies and Applications”) at the Computer Technology Institute (CTI), Patras, Greece and also a Lecturer at the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department of Patras University, Greece. His research interests include Probabilistic Techniques and Random Graphs, Average Case Analysis of Graph Algorithms and Randomized Algorithms, Fundamental Issues in Parallel and Distributed Computing, Approximate Solutions to Computationally Hard Problems. He has published scientific articles in major international conferences and journals and has co-authored (with Paul Spirakis) a book on Probabilistic Techniques. He has been invited speaker in important international scientific events and Universities. He has been a referee for the Theoretical Computer Science (TCS) Journal and important international conferences (ESA, ICALP). He has participated in many EU funded R&D projects (ESPRIT/ALCOM-IT, ESPRIT/GEPPCOM). He currently participates in 6 Fifth Framework projects: ALCOM-FT, ASPIS, UNIVERSAL, EICSTES (IST), ARACNE, AMORE (IMPROVING). Jose Rolim is Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Geneva where he leads the Theoretical Computer Science and Sensor Lab (TCSensor Lab). He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science at the University of California, Los Angeles working together with Prof. S. Greibach. He has published several articles on the areas of distributed systems, randomization and computational complexity and leads two major projects on the area of Power Aware Computing and Games and Complexity, financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation. Prof. Rolim participates in the editorial board of several journals and conferences and he is the Steering Committee Chair and General Chair of the IEEE Distributed Computing Conference in Sensor Systems.     

无线传感网混合类MAC协议研究综述

在无线传感网( WSN)体系结构中,介质访问控制( MAC)协议负责调配网络中节点的信道接入,具有保障网络高效通信的重要作用。混合类MAC 协议综合了竞争类MAC 协议以及调度类MAC协议的特点,在融合两种机制的优点的同时克服其缺点,为无线信道资源的分配提供了更加灵活和全面的策略。首先概述了无线传感网MAC协议设计要点及分类,然后重点分析了无线传感网中经典的混合类MAC协议及国内外前沿的研究进展,并进一步归纳对比了各协议运行机制、性能及不足,得出混合类MAC协议的应用相关性及差异性的结论,最后总结了无线传感网混合类MAC协议研究现状并指出了未来的研究重点,以期为相关领域的研究人员提供参考。     

A state-of-the-art survey on wireless rechargeable sensor networks: perspectives and challenges

Wireless Networks - Wireless rechargeable sensor network (WRSN) is an emerging technology that has risen intending to enhance network lifetime of the conventional wireless sensor networks (WSNs)....     

Strategies and techniques for node placement in wireless sensor networks: A survey

The major challenge in designing wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is the support of the functional, such as data latency, and the non-functional, such as data integrity, requirements while coping with the computation, energy and communication constraints. Careful node placement can be a very effective optimization means for achieving the desired design goals. In this paper, we report on the current state of the research on optimized node placement in WSNs. We highlight the issues, identify the various objectives and enumerate the different models and formulations. We categorize the placement strategies into static and dynamic depending on whether the optimization is performed at the time of deployment or while the network is operational, respectively. We further classify the published techniques based on the role that the node plays in the network and the primary performance objective considered. The paper also highlights open problems in this area of research.     

In-network aggregation techniques for wireless sensor networks: a survey

In this article we provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature on techniques and protocols for in-network aggregation in wireless sensor networks. We first define suitable criteria to classify existing solutions, and then describe them by separately addressing the different layers of the protocol stack while highlighting the role of a cross-layer design approach, which is likely to be needed for optimal performance. Throughout the article we identify and discuss open issues, and propose directions for future research in the area     

Fuzzy logic based clustering in wireless sensor networks: a survey

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have limited resources, thus extending the lifetime has always been an issue of great interest. Recent developments in WSNs have led to various new fuzzy systems, specifically designed for WSNs where energy awareness is an essential consideration. In several applications, the clustered WSN are known to perform better than flat WSN, if the energy consumption in clustering operation itself could be minimised. Routing in clustered WSN is very efficient, especially when the challenge of finding the optimum number of intermediate cluster heads can be resolved. Fortunately, several fuzzy logic based solutions have been proposed for these jobs. Both single- and two-level fuzzy logic approaches are being used for cluster head election in which several distinguished features of WSN have been considered in making a decision. This article surveys the recent fuzzy applications for cluster head selection in WSNs and presents a comparative study for the various approaches pursued.     

Energy conserving security mechanisms for wireless sensor networks

Since wireless sensor networks are emerging as innovative technologies for realizing a variety of functions through a number of compact sensor nodes, security must be justified and ensured prior to their deployment. An adversary may compromise sensor nodes, forcing them to generate undesired data, and propagation of these data packets through the network results in wasteful energy consumption. We develop a security mechanism to detect energy-consuming useless packets, assuming that a sensor node is able to generate multiple message authentication codes (MAC) using preshared secrets. The forwarding nodes along the path verify the validity of the packet by checking the authenticity of the attached MACs. This mechanism performs well when a malicious node does not have all the cryptographic keys. However, packets, generated by the malicious node having all the keys, would be considered as legitimate, and thus, the forwarding nodes become unable to detect and discard them. To deal with this problem, we devise another mechanism in which each forwarding node is capable of checking such suspicious nodes. We have quantified the security strength through analysis and simulations to show that the proposed mechanisms make the entire network energy conserving.     

无线传感器网络中能量有效的波束成形机制

针对无线传感器网络中单个节点能量和通信距离均受限,以及传统波束成形机制中由于忽略能耗均衡而造成单个节点过早死亡的特点,提出了一种能量有效的波束成形机制。首先分析了节点个数、发射系数、功率受限、相位等因素对网络能耗的影响,给出了对应的设计原则。然后,基于此原则来选择参与发射的节点,并结合节点的剩余能量和相位来调整各自的发射系数。理论分析和仿真结果表明,该机制有效地增加了数据成功传输的次数,均衡了节点间的能耗,延长了网络寿命。     

EFCon: Energy flow control for sustainable wireless sensor networks

The rapid advances in processor, memory, and radio technology enable the development of small, inexpensive sensor nodes that are capable of sensing, computation, and communication. However, the severe energy constraints of the sensors present major challenges for long-term applications. In order to achieve sustainability, environmental energy harvesting has been demonstrated as a promising approach. In this work, the energy utilization scheme is investigated for wireless sensor networks with energy harvesting nodes. The energy utilization system is divided to three parts: energy harvesting, energy consuming and energy storage. Then the sustainability problem is formulated as an energy flow control problem. An energy flow control system, called EFCon, is proposed to keep the balance between energy supplies and demands. EFCon consists of two phases, energy flow direction control and flow rate control. In the phase of energy flow direction control, the system dynamically switches among four patterns: flood flow, direct flow, compensate flow, and backup flow, according to current environmental energy condition and the residual energy condition. Once the energy flow direction is determined, a corresponding energy flow rate control strategy will be adopted for efficient energy utilization. The EFCon is implemented and validated by a long-term deployment in real testbeds. The experimental results indicate that the EFCon outperforms existing designs.