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About Sensor Networks

Sensor networks are collections of wirelessly interconnected devices with sensing, computing and communication infrastructure that allow us to instrument, observe, and respond to phenomena in the natural environment and physical infrastructure. This two-day course introduces basic concepts and characteristics of wireless sensor networks. The constraints and challenges in designing and deploying sensor networks are discussed. The wireless sensor network platforms currently being developed in NICTA’s Vic Labs are used as an example to explain how sensor networks work, and to demonstrate the strategies and approaches to solve practical problems in designing, implementing and deploying a sensor network.

The intended audience are engineers and researchers interested in sensor networks. No formal prerequisites although some background in engineering and telecommunications is assumed.

Course Topics

• Sensor networks history and research challenges
• MAC and IEEE 802.15.4: Channel allocation; Multiple access control;
• Ad-hoc networks and Zigbee: Routing algorithms; Clusters;
• Sensor Networks Hardware: Designing low power electronic circuitry; Radios,  Micro-controllers, I/O circuitry; Electromagnetic compatibility;
• Sensor Networks Issues: Co-existence with other 802.15 and 802.11 networks; Distributed computing; Localization;
• SensorML: XML; SensorML, Sensor Model Language
• Quarrying Sensor Networks: Sensor Databases; TinyDB;
• Sensor Network Security: Sensor network security risks; Attacks and defences;

Course presenters

This course will be instructed by a team led by Prof. R. Evans and Dr. E. Skafidas at NICTA’s Vic Labs. The team has extensive research and development experience in control, radar systems, signal processing and telecommunications, and has accomplished academic publications, IP innovations and real systems development and deployment. Particularly, the team has recently developed an open sensor-web architecture framework for building applications on a distributed computing infrastructure, and a wireless sensor network platform for agricultural applications

For further information please contact:
Anne-Marie Eliseo
Industry Education Manager
phone: +61-8-8302-3928
email: industryeducation@nicta.com.au