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Cooperating objects in Wireless Sensor networks

Dr. Paul J.M. HavingaUniversity of Twentethe Netherlands

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Agenda

Wireless sensor networksSystem Software architectureBeyond WSN

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Wireless sensor network

A network that is formed when a set of small sensor devices that are deployed in an ad hoc fashion cooperate for sensing a physical phenomenon

What’s the difference with conventional sensor?Not just sensors, but sensors with tiny brains!

+ + =

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Sensors with brains?

What’s the advantage of having brains??!!Improves the quality of readings obtained

E.g. false readings due to malfunctioning sensors are discarded

Sensors can calibrate themselvesShorter response time

Allows nodes to function autonomouslyE.g. how to route data when a certain node fails or

moves out of range? (Improves robustness!)Makes the network more efficient

Increased network lifetime – works longer without any need for user intervention

New functionalitiesE.g. localizationLocal execution of business rules

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Networked Embedded Systems

“Everything” is networkedEven very small things like sensors and actuatorsExplosion in the number of connected end devices

In-network processingProtocol stack plus some ability to process data in network end devicesDecentralized and localized controlServices executing inside the network

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Ideal Sensor Networks

“Smart Dust”Tens of thousands of sensor nodesNode lifetime longer than 3 yearsNode size smaller than 1 mm3

Node price less than 5 cents

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Real Sensor Nodes

Sensor nodesMatchbox size Limited resources

energy, memory, CPU powerLow data-rate radioExpensive ($20 – $500)Limited lifetime (1 day – 3 years)

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fine grained sensing systems

Nodes with very limited resources16 bit processor, 2KB RAM, 60KB FLASHLow data-rate radio (100 kbits/sec)Limited energy available (1-2 small batteries) for several years of operationSmall physical size

Networks characteristicsDistributed multi-hop mesh networkmobile unreliable nodesDeployed in a harsh environmentSelf-organizing and self-healing

SensorsSimple, low cost, low accuracyLight, temperature, pressure, movement, humidity,

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Application domains

Wireless Sensing and Acting Networks regarded as one key emerging technology platform for a wide range of applications

EnvironmentEnvironment

InfrastructureInfrastructure

AgricultureAgriculture

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Same concepts can be applied to Futuristic Applications!

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Beyond traditional sensor networks….

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Facing the real world…

Limited resourcesProcessor, memory, communication, and energy

The real-world is continually changingEnvironments, technologies, and resources are constantly shiftingNew technologies have to co-exist

The real-world is inherently unpredictable and uncertain, and incomplete

Inaccurate and incomplete informationImperfect communicationBatteries drain out unpredictableTechnologies move and change

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A dynamic world

The physical world is dynamic Dynamic operating conditionsDynamic availability of resources

Including energy!Dynamic tasksDynamic network conditions (mobility, errors)

Devices must adapt automatically to the environment

Too many devices for manual configurationEnvironmental conditions are unpredictable

Self-configuring, autonomous, dependable, robust, scalable

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Agenda

Wireless sensor networksSystem Software architectureBeyond WSN

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Abstract

Existing OS for WSN limitedEither merely runtime systems, no real-time, no dynamics, hard to develop withOr too big and complex

AmbientRT: a real-time data centric operating systems

for resource poor devicesefficient memory organizationdynamic (task level) reconfigurationevent (data) driven with real-time scheduling

Superior capabilities at comparable cost of alternative solutions

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Current WSN architectures

Rather staticfixed layered protocol stackfixed applicationsMerely static networks

Each protocol or algorithm covers its worst-case scenario Hard-coded interfaces between layersConfiguration only at compile timeNo central coordination of functionalitySoftware-homogenous nodes

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Example: TinyOS archictecture

RFM

Radio byte

i2c

Tempphoto

Messaging Layer

clocksbit

byte

packet Radio Packet

Routing Layer

sensing applicationapplication

HW

SW

ADC

messaging

routing

UART Packet

UART byte

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Dynamic WSN architectures

Wide variety of wireless sensor applicationsWith very different requirements and characteristicsNeeds adaptation geared towards needs and possibilities

DynamicsMobile nodesChanging services, protocols and resourcesAdaptable network protocols

Self configurationSelf adaptationSelf organizingSelf adaptation

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Example: EYES Architecture

Location Time Synchronisation Network Management

Security

Failure Detection

Service Discovery

User Application

Aggregation

Topology

Agreement

ID-centric routing

Link Layer Control

Geo-centric routing Data-centricrouting

Frame Tx/Rx

PHY

Mainly tasked with packet forwarding/exchange

Mainly tasked with inter-buildingblock information exchange

Message passingInformation exchange

Contention & Scheduling

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Typical Hardware Constraints

CPU (MSP430)Clock frequency: 4.6 MHz2048 bytes RAM60 Kilobyte flash (program, read-only data)

Radio115.2 Kbps

Power supply2 AA alkaline batteries

Major research questions:

Do we need, and can we afforta real time operating system on such a platform?

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Why do we need anoperating system?

For the same reason as we use them for bigger machines !

Ease of programmingHardware abstractionMulti tasking supportResource managementEfficient resource usage

Direct processing of data to prevent the need of buffers

Efficient use of memory

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Why should it be real time?

Timely behaviourComputation correctness based on both the logical result and the time of that result“Immediate” response to external events

Ease of programmingCode has to be written carefullyCorrect execution is not based on tediuos programming (cooperative scheduling), user needs to plan the scheduling Separation of concerns

RobustnessPredictable system Prevent time critical tasks (e.g. radio) to fail because of execution of other less important tasks

Saving energy by real time operationJust in time operation: real-time saves energyLess failure is less retrying: energy efficient

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Any more reasons?

Yes, to be able to cope with the dynamics!Self *

Self configurationSelf calibrationSelf organizingSelf adaptation

By reconfiguration and adaptation

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WSN operating systems

TinyOS“TinyOS is a component-based runtime environment designed to provide support for deeply embedded systems which require concurrency intensive operations while constrained by minimal hardware resources.”Developed mainly at University BerkeleyTargeted microcontrollers: Atmel, TI, etc.Freeware, sustained by a large active community

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TinyOS characteristics

Event based architecture conceptIncoming events are served by specific tasksNon-blocking execution is required (run to completion)Free CPU cycles are spent in the sleep stateFast context switches, small footprintNo real time scheduling capabilities

Each component designed to cover all the (worst) possible cases

Cooperative (manual) schedulingConfiguration and tuning available only at compile timeGood operating system for small tasks & task sets

Polling a sensor periodicallyBroadcasting data

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Our approach: Architectural Overview

Combine system architecture with underlying operating system

All protocols, algorithms, protocol stacks implemented as tasks or sets of tasks (also called modules)Operating system is a local centralized system:built around the task scheduler

Introduce a central componentEvery module communicates with other modules via a publish/subscribe mechanismCan select/enable/disable layersCan turn on/off certain functionalities of each layer

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EDFI Scheduling

EDFI (Earliest Deadline First with Inheritance)Dynamic priority preemptive scheduling methodOne stack used by all tasksAutomatic shared resource synchronization (mutual exclusion)Deadlock free

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AmbientRT implementation

We have implemented AmbientRT on an MSP430Very limited RAM usage

min. 32 bytesPer task 9 bytes extra

Small code (3800 bytes)Max. 12500 task switches per second

available on http://ambient-systems.net

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System software architecture - conclusions

Proposed architecture allowsDynamic configuration of the protocol stack usedEfficient cross-layer communicationSelf adaptation to external conditionCentralized control over the performance of the protocol stackDynamic reconfiguration of tasks

Even over the air!

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Agenda

Wireless sensor networksSystem Software architectureBeyond WSN

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Transport and Logistics

Currently RFID applications are emergingCheap tags are availableRequires infrastructure

ExpensivePlanningSoftware backendLimited reading distance

Novel services are possible using WSN technologiesLocalizationAutonomous controlReconfigurableLarge coverage areaScalable

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WSNs in Transport and Logistics

Identify opportunities for WSNs in Transport and Logistics Specific scenario: distribution of flowers from auction hall to shopUse embedded devices with wireless ad-hoc networking and sensingGoal: improve efficiency of process with active computing components

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Process diagram

Auction hall pipeline

Expedition floor Trailer

Loading Gate

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Major sources of errors

RTIs filled with wrong goodsRTIs placed in wrong cell on expedition floor, or lostthe expedition floor lacks space for static allocation of cells,resulting in ad-hoc, error-prone solutionsdelays gathering RTIs on expedition floorRTIs are placed in the wrong trailerRTIs are not returned from retail storeswrong environmental conditions during transport (temperature...)

Can these problems be solved using WSNs?

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Functional requirements

WSN node is active component: keep track of all activity in distribution processAlert when error detectedNodes keep track of own location on expedition floor alert if in wrong positionNodes know contents, destination and transporting trailer of RTIs alert when in wrong trailer, or delivered at wrong customerEnvironmental monitoring higher quality of transport process…

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Process diagram – revised

Expedition floor

Central System

Trailer

Loading Gate

Auction hall pipeline

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Requirements – Networking

Up to 5 nodes per RTITrailers contain <= 60 RTIsExpedition floor contains <= 10.000 RTIsRTIs are moved around

Very high density, high mobilityuse small communication distances

Ad-hoc multi-hop networkLow operational power, batteries not replaceable

Minimal 5 years on a single batteryEnergy efficient network protocols needed

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Requirements – Localization

Localization needed on expedition floorMaximal accuracy of ~2 mNodes must be robust and cheap

no special distance measurement sensors like ultrasound

Support of large number of wireless devicesSupport of multihop network possibleDistributed mechanism needed

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Requirements – Rule Engine

Specify rules of logistics processVerify correct execution of logistical process, alert when errors occurRules dynamically updated when neededHandle different data typesProvide communications abstractionEasy to program, used by non-experts

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FlowerPower

Our application scenario makes use of innovative solutions:

energy efficient networking (MAC, routing)Localization Sensing

New concepts are introduced: Distributed rule engine

Useful application scenario to evaluate additional value of WSN protocolsprovides an alternative, and solution beyond RFID

Beyond RFID and beyond sensor networks

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Conclusion

Future WSNs are:HeterogeneousDynamicLarge-scaleHave multiple different services and stakeholders

Collaboration is essentialCross-layer optimizationTight integration needed of networking protocols (MAC, transport, routing) and applicationsProper system software support

Face the real world, do experiments

Still numerous challenges, but…Even more opportunities!