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Zhao-CACM 2008

The Physical Side of Computing

Zhao

sensor networking energy

@article{zhao:cacm2008,
  title="The Physical Side of Computing",
  author="Feng Zhao",
  journal="Communications of the ACM",
  volume="51",
  number="7",
  month="July",
  year="2008",
  pages="98"
}

Wireless networks combine computation, sensing, and communication with physical world interaction

  • Common example environments: Bird habitats, bridges, power grids

Sensor networks are "characterized by the embedding in the physical world and (often) unattended operation for years, severe constraints in resources especially energy, unreliable hardware and communication links, and the need to respond to time-critical events."

  • Value of data may diminish over time, so sensor networks need to react in a timely fashion
  • Data collection and dissemination must be done in an extremely energy efficient fashion

These constraints raise fundamental computer science questions about energy and its use

  • Need to develop a complexity theory for energy consumption, much like memory and time
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