Special issue on sensor networks and applications (original) (raw)

Microsensor network technology will have a significant impact on our lives in the 21st century. Microsensor devices, ranging in size from cubic inches to cubic millimeters, will each have multiple on board miniaturized sensors (such as for light, temperature, humidity, acoustics, imaging, etc.), with considerable processing power, in each geographic position ability through global positioning systems (GPSs) or local positioning methods, and short range radio or optical communication links. These devices, which will be cheap and smart, can be deployed in small or very large numbers to instrument homes and highways, buildings and bodies, cities and infrastructures, as well as for monitoring and controlling defense applications.