Mobile sensing platforms for implementing mobile sensor networks

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have received significant attention from the wireless networking research community within the last decade due to their potential to be deployed in many real-life applications where human accessibility is limited. While early deployments of WSNs utilized stationary tiny sensors, later, due to wide range of application possibilities, deployment of mobile sensors within WSNs were considered. These sensors have been used for both sensing and mobility purposes which led to a new type of WSNs called Mobile Sensor Networks (MSNs). In this chapter, we examine various mobile sensors from the perspective of their design, implementation and how they form a network. In particular, we investigate the characteristics of existing MSN testbeds and categorize them based on these characteristics. We also provide future research issues in regards to MSN testbeds and their realization in real-life applications.