A Comprehensive Study of Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor network technology has emerged as one of the most important technologies of twenty-first century, which has the potential of transforming human lives. Semiconductor and networking technologies have been driving forces for large-scale implementation of wireless sensor networks. Sound surveillance system developed by United States military in 1950s led to the development of wireless sensor networks. With the passage of time, cost for wireless sensor networks reduced and these networks found applications in the areas of traffic control, health monitoring, disaster prevention, industrial sensing, infrastructure security etc. This paper describes the evolution, networking, security threats, standardization and applications of wireless sensor networks.