Introductory description

CS912 Sensor Networks and Mobile Data Communication.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Content includes:
Motivation and applications;
System architecture and Sensors;
Media access control protocols - TDMA, duty cycling, SMAC, XMAC, IEEE802.11/15, CSMA/CA, RTS/CTS;
Routing: directed diffusion, communication patterns, proactive/reactive/hybrid ad hoc routing, geographic routing;
Energy efficiency in sensor networks: duty cycling, clustering, topology control;
Network reprogramming techniques;
Delay tolerant networks - optimistic routing, social net-based routing;
Mobility models;
Vehicular networks - routing, broadcast, gossip.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand the principles of sensor networks and mobile ad hoc networks, and their impact on protocol design.
• Develop MAC and routing protocols for sensor and mobile networks.
• Develop efficient routing protocols for sensor and mobile networks.
• Understand and develop information dissemination protocols for sensor and mobile networks.

Indicative reading list

J. Schiller. Mobile communications (2nd Edition), Pearson, August 2003
H. Karl, A. Willing, Protocols and architectures for wireless sensors. Wiley and Sons, August 2007
C.S. Murthy, B. Manoj, Ad Hoc Wireless Networks, Prentice Hall, May 2004
J. P. Hubaux, L. Buttyan, Security and Cooperation in Wireless Networks, Cambridge University Press, November 2007

Subject specific skills

Understand current networking and transmission protocols for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks; Design new networking and transmission protocols for wireless ad hoc and sensor networks; Understand the importance of energy saving protocol in wireless sensor network;

Transferable skills

Capacity to analyse new wireless technologies; Simulation of wireless networks; Evaluation of wireless transmission protocols;