Architecture and Communication Protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting (WSN-HEAP) 
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Contact Hwee-Pink Tan [hptan(at)i2r(dot) a-star (dot) edu (dot) sg], Zhi Ang Eu [euzhiang(at)nus(dot)edu(dot)sg] and Winston K. G. Seah [winston(at)i2r(dot)a-star(dot)edu(dot)sg]

Context
Energy consumption is a perennial issue in the design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) which typically rely on portable sources like batteries for power. Recent advances in ambient energy harvesting technology have made it a viable alternative source of energy for powering WSNs. WSNs powered by ambient energy harvesting (WSN-HEAP) are potentially more useful and economical in the long term than traditional battery-powered WSNs as they can operate for very long periods of time. Examples of ambient energy sources include solar, vibrational, wind, thermal and RF energy.

Overview
The use of WSNs for structural health monitoring (SHM) is gaining popularity in recent years since it allows for a low-cost, rapid and robust assessment of structural integrity. WSN-HEAP are particularly attractive for SHM applications since the replacement of exhausted on-board power sources is not feasible, and structures such as bridges and railway tracks typically generate substantial vibrational energy, which can be harvested to power the network. However, the unique characteristics of WSN-HEAP compared to conventional WSNs call for a new paradigm in the design and evaluation of WSN-HEAP for SHM. In this research, we address the technical challenges in the design of suitable WSN-HEAP architectures and communications protocols for SHM.

Related Publications

  • Zhi Ang Eu, Hwee-Pink Tan and Winston K. G. Seah. Design and Performance Analysis of MAC Schemes for Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting. Accepted for publication in Elsevier Journal of Ad Hoc Networks, July 2010.

  • Zhi Ang Eu, Hwee-Pink Tan and Winston K. G. Seah. Opportunistic Routing for Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting. Accepted for publication in Elsevier Journal of Computer Networks, May 2010.

  • Hwee-Pink Tan, Alvin Valera and Wenbin Koh. Transmission Power Control in 2-D Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Havesting. Accepted for publication at IEEE PIMRC, Sept 2010.

  • Zhi Ang Eu, Hwee-Pink Tan and Winston K. G. Seah. Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Havesting: An Empirical Characterization. Accepted for publication at IEEE ICC, May 2010.

  • K. Takahashi, M. Bandai, H. P. Tan, Winston K. G. Seah and T. Watanabe. Least Impact Routing Towards Sustainable Sensor Networks Enhanced by Energy Harvesting. Accepted for publication at ICMU (Poster), April 2010.

  • Winston K. G. Seah, Z. A. Eu and Hwee-Pink Tan. Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting (WSN-HEAP) – Survey and Challenges. Accepted for publication at Wireless VITAE, May 2009 [Invited Paper].

  • Hwee-Pink Tan, Zhi-Ang Eu and Winston K. G. Seah. Impact of Power Control in Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting (WSN-HEAP) for Railroad Health Monitoring. Accepted for publication in AASNET, IEEE AINA, May 2009.

  • Zhi-Ang Eu, Hwee-Pink Tan and Winston K. G. Seah. Routing and Relay Node Placement in Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting. Accepted for publication in IEEE WCNC, April 2009.

  • Zhi Ang Eu, Winston K. G. Seah and Hwee-Pink Tan. A Study of MAC Schemes for Wireless Sensor Networks Powered by Ambient Energy Harvesting. Accepted for publication in the Fourth Wireless Internet Conference (WICON), Nov 2008.