The development of sensors has been positive for humanity in many ways. Smart technology sends vital signals and helps develop knowledge and information on a subject.
Business, research and development, transportation, agriculture, and electronics have optimized the sensors to serve their end. You can say that this device successfully connects humans, computers, and the surroundings through the use of powered devices, wireless and wired infrastructure.
So the wide usage of this technology makes its study and acquiring information quite pertinent. So we discuss the whereabouts of the sensor networks.
What Is a Sensor Network?
The sensor network is a collection of powered devices that collect and monitor data from different places (where they are installed).
Thereafter, they send the data to a central location. The stakeholders view and analyze the signals to reach an observation on a subject (for instance, soil quality).
You have two types of sensor networks, that is wireless and wired sensor networks. A wired sensor is connected to the ethernet cables to do its specific task.
On the other hand, wireless sensors collect data with the help of technologies like near-field communications (NFCs) and Bluetooth.
The Operation Of The Sensor Network
The main components of sensor network operation and functioning include gateways, sensor nodes, actuator nodes, and typologies.
The sensor monitors, collects, and transmits the data to the different sensor nodes. The multiple nodes do their part in the transmission process, and finally, it reaches the gateway node. From the gateway node, the data using the internet connection sends the collected data to the management node.
Finally, the user collects the data from the management note and then uses it for monitoring and analysis. It is how internal working takes place in the sensor network.
Application Of Sensor Network
The sensor network is a highly successful technology, and due to its efficacy, the stakeholders of society are using it to serve their end. We discuss some of the areas of operation of the sensory network.
1. Environmental Monitoring
The government, farmers, and researchers use the sensory network to monitor the following:
- Soil Condition.
- Water Quality.
- Air Quality.
- Weather update
- Wind speed.
Previously experts used to visit the spot to collect information. They bring it back to the laboratory and analyze it to reach a solution. It is needless to say, the approach is quite slow and requires extensive involvement of manpower.
Hence the collection of data was expensive. Plus, the collection of data was also limited. But with the sensor network, data collection, storage, and analysis have become automated.
2. Surveillance
Sensor Networks work precisely for surveillance, and municipal bodies use them to reduce crimes. It is not possible to keep police everywhere. But with a sensor network, they can track down the movement of these dark elements, the perpetrators of crimes.
The police are using surveillance cameras, license plate readers, and gun sensors to catch criminals and stop crime before it happens. But the technology needs to be top-notch.
For instance, the first sensor network in Singapore (made by SPtel) utilizes technology like a long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) to ensure public safety.
3. Earthquake Detection
The earthquake sensor network, as the name suggests, has been in use for some time to gather information on what's happening underneath the earth's surface.
Specific mention needs to be made of the Global Seismographic Network. It is made up of over 150 seismic stations, each fitted with geographical and seismological sensors.
The seismic stations help gather and send it to a centralized storage system. Scientists use it to understand what's really happening in the earth's crust. Thus with the help of the signals, they can make people aware before the earthquake.
Ending The Discussion
Sensory network technology has been a great support, and the scientists are other stakeholders of society considering the application in different fields. The sensor network is undoubtedly one of the finest inventions of modern science.
So, be sure to make good use of it.