"Lectio Praecursoria" of the doctoral dissertation entitled "Application-Driven Data Processing in Wireless Sensor Networks" at Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Helsinki, Finland

1. Application-Driven
Data Processing
in Wireless Sensor Networks
Maurizio Bocca
Department of Automation and Systems Technology
Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Helsinki, Finland

2. What is a Wireless Sensor Network?
A WSN is a wireless network consisting of
spatially distributed autonomous devices
using sensors and/or actuators to
cooperatively
monitor and/or operate into the environment
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3. WSNs architecture INTERNET
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4. The building blocks of a WSN
SENSOR
NODE
limited resources
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5. Compared to wired systems, WSNs are:
Less expensive
(no cabling, reduced maintenance)
Easier to be installed
(nodes in large numbers, in critical locations)
More robust to failures and
harsh environmental conditions
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7. Structural
Health
Monitoring
Wireless
Automation Indoor
Situation
Awareness
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8. Human Adaptive Mechatronics in wireless
automation
• HAM aims at improving the
performance of human-machine
systems:
 by adapting to the individual characteristics
of the human operator
 by providing assistance to improve the
execution of the tasks
• Human operator ≈ controller
• Wireless communications introduce
random time delays
INSTABILITY
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9. Wireless Joystick Control System
 Filter bad actions taken by the
human operator
 Smoothen the control commands
to minimize load swinging…
…also in the case of packet losses
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10. Structural
Health
Monitoring
Wireless
Automation Indoor
Situation
Awareness
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11. Structures need constant care!
SHM aims at accurately assessing the stability of
civil infrastructures
I-35W Mississippi Bridge
1.8.2007
I-35W Mississippi Bridge
31.7.2007
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12. WSNs for SHM: centralized approach
reliable data transfer
NATURAL FREQUENCIES
and DAMPING RATIOS
MODE SHAPES
accurate time synchronization
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13. WSNs for SHM: distributed approach
DAMAGE DETECTION
and LOCALIZATION
REDUCED LATENCY
and POWER CONSUMPTION
limited computational resources
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14. Structural
Health
Monitoring
Wireless
Automation Indoor
Situation
Awareness
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15. Knowing what is going on so that you can
figure out what to do next
• Perception of the elements in the environment
• Comprehension of their meaning
• Projection of their status in the near future
DECISION
MAKING
ACTION!
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16. From “Helsingin Sanomat”
Speaker identification 8.11.2008
• Sensor nodes limitations:
 Sampling frequency
 Length of the signals
 Low Signal-to-Noise ratio
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18. In conclusion, the thesis presents:
• Data processing methods CO-DESIGN IMPROVES
• Protocols and architectures THE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
optimized for the requirements and characteristics of the
considered application domains
WSNs CAN GREATLY ENHANCE
OUR COMPREHENSION
OF THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT
Thank you!
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