World Wireless Sensors and Wireless Sensor Networks

Published by	Technical Insights, Inc.
Published	December, 2004	Product code	26401
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Introduction
Related Reports

This publication has been discontinued on July 19, 2011.

Introduction

Research Overview

Emerging Standardization Expected to Spur Uptake of Wireless Sensor Networks

The market is transitioning from wireless sensor networks based on proprietary platforms toward a standards-based environment with the emergence of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and the recently ratified ZigBee standard. Standardization is expected to improve interfacing capabilities and allow end users to migrate to a new service provider without reworking the entire solution and incurring significantly high costs. "With the growing standardization of wireless technology, the market is likely to become more streamlined allowing developers to operate on a common platform and improve interoperability," explains the analyst of this research.

In addition, the introduction of standards enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to increase profitability by producing certified devices in high capacities thereby taking advantage of economies of scale. Device providers and system integrators can also work with certified documented protocols giving them more flexibility and freedom for increasing functionality as and when required and with additional scalability options.

Industrial and Building Automation Presents Numerous Opportunities for Wireless Sensor Networks

Given its numerous advantages over a wired network, wireless sensor network technology is expected to grow exponentially and gain a stronghold across industry verticals such as building automation and industrial applications. The benefits of wireless sensor networks in these two sectors are enormous and will serve the purpose of demonstrating their capabilities. "Participants in this market need to educate end users regarding the obvious cost benefits, ease of deployment, retrofitting applications, and scalability to increase the uptake of wireless sensor networks," says the analyst.

For instance, building automation applications such as lighting and occupancy sensors demonstrate high energy efficiency levels, quicker return on investment, and ease of deployment and removal. Such devices are expected to find increasing acceptance among major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot where optimal energy consumption and reduced energy costs are a primary concern. In the industrial automation space, the largest opportunity for wireless sensor networks lies in sensing devices in remote or inaccessible areas such as nuclear plants, oil and gas fields, and high temperature furnaces.

Scaling Network Size Remains a Significant Challenge

Although wireless sensor networks are easy to deploy at exceptionally low costs in comparison to a wired network, there are several technical challenges such as network management, monitoring tools, optimal gateway design, and several other hardware considerations that need to be addressed. However, the biggest challenge to date is increasing the average deployable network size from the existing few hundred nodes to a thousand nodes or more. Most companies in this field are working toward systems that can perform robustly and efficiently when scaled up to a size of around 500 nodes. Test demonstrations of 800 node networks are have already been completed successfully but more concerted efforts are required for gaining a competitive advantage in the mainstream market.

This Frost & Sullivan research analyzes emerging developments that will enable wireless sensor networks to make an impact across various industry verticals. In addition to identifying major technology drivers and challenges, the research provides in-depth application analysis. Participants can also easily identify potential collaborators to stay ahead of the competition and remain shoulder-to-shoulder with critical developments.

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Key Findings

Noteworthy Emerging Technologies
Noteworthy Applications

Technology Drivers and Restraints Briefing

Technology Drivers Outlook
Technology Restraints Outlook

2 TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS VIEWPOINT

Technology Primer and Standards

Technology Primer
Topologies
IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee Standards

Applications Analysis And Trends

Introduction To Application Analysis
Medical Applications
Security Applications
Proactive Computing
Environmental & Agricultural Applications
Structural Sensing Applications
Application Trends
Ranking of Application Segments and Technology Roadmap

Influential Market Factors

Industry Trends
Innovation Assessment Table
Stakeholder Analysis

3 TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FACTOR ANALYSIS

Primary Challenges

Technology Restraints
Competing Technologies

Analysis of Drivers

Technology Benefits
Adoption Drivers

4 NOTEWORTHY INNOVATIONS

Noteworthy Innovation at Key Companies

Wireless Sensors Monitor Bio-Potential Signals In The Body--United States
Wireless Sensors Without Batteries--United States
Wireless Sensors For Structural Monitoring--United States
Development Platform For Implementation Of Wireless Sensor Networks--United States
Chipcon Delivers Industrys First IEEE 802.15.4 And Zigbee System-On-Chip Solution--Norway
Mobile Database Using Wireless Sensors Track Patient Care--United States
Ember And Arcom Build Zigbee-Based Solutions Across IBM Enterprise Systems--United States
Low-Power Wireless Mesh Networks Now Commercial--United States
FCC Certifies Crossbow Motes--United States
Helicomm Launches Zigbee Development Platform--United States
Intel And Wireless Sensor Networking--United States
Zigbee Devices To Become Platform Independent--United States
Managing Data From Sensors To Become Easy--United States

Noteworthy Innovation at Key Academic and Government-related Institutions

Remote Monitoring Of Volcanoes With Wireless Sensors--United States
Sensor Networks Deployed For Robust Location Detection--United States
Keeping Players In Good Shape Using Wireless Sensors--UK
Wireless Sensor Networks Aid In Flying Robots--Australia
Soil Monitoring With Wireless Sensors--UK
Wireless Sensor Aids In Monitoring Sodium Hypochlorite Content In Water--UK
Efficient MAC Protocol For Wireless Sensor Networks--United States
Protecting Crops With Wireless Sensors--United States
Zigbee Alliance Ratifies Specification--Worldwide
NSF Funds Wireless Sensor Project--United States
Designing Wireless Sensor Networks at Berkeley Manufacturing Institute (BMI)--United States