2.1 Hardware components of sensor nodes

Sensor nodes are the building blocks of wireless sensor networks. They consist of several key hardware components that work together to sense, process, and transmit data. Understanding these components is crucial for designing efficient and effective sensor networks.

This section explores the main hardware elements of sensor nodes: processors, communication modules, sensors, storage, and power management systems. Each component plays a vital role in the node's functionality and impacts its overall performance and energy efficiency.

Processor and Communication

Microcontroller and Transceiver

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• Microcontroller serves as the central processing unit of the sensor node
• Responsible for executing instructions, processing data, and controlling other components
• Typically has low power consumption and limited processing power to conserve energy
• Transceiver enables wireless communication between the sensor node and other devices
• Allows the node to send and receive data over a wireless network (Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)
• Consumes a significant portion of the node's power budget during data transmission and reception

Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Antenna

• ADC converts analog signals from sensors into digital data that can be processed by the microcontroller
• Essential for interfacing with analog sensors and enabling digital signal processing
• Determines the resolution and accuracy of the sensor measurements
• Antenna facilitates the transmission and reception of wireless signals
• Designed to operate efficiently within the desired frequency range and communication protocol
• Factors such as antenna size, gain, and radiation pattern affect the node's communication range and energy consumption

Sensing and Storage

Sensors and Memory

• Sensors measure physical or environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, light, pressure)
• Convert the measured quantities into electrical signals that can be processed by the sensor node
• Wide variety of sensor types available depending on the application requirements
• Memory stores the sensor data, program code, and configuration settings
• Volatile memory (RAM) holds temporary data and variables during program execution
• Non-volatile memory (flash, EEPROM) retains data even when power is disconnected
• Limited memory capacity requires efficient data management and compression techniques

Power Management

Power Supply and Energy Conservation

• Power supply provides the necessary electrical energy to operate the sensor node
• Commonly used power sources include batteries (alkaline, lithium), energy harvesters (solar, vibration), and power scavenging techniques
• Battery capacity and energy density determine the node's lifetime and operational duration
• Power management techniques optimize energy usage to extend battery life
• Techniques include duty cycling (periodic sleep/wake cycles), dynamic voltage scaling, and power gating of unused components
• Energy-efficient protocols and algorithms minimize communication overhead and computational complexity
• Low-power hardware components (microcontrollers, transceivers) reduce overall power consumption