Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) have emerged and shifted the focus from the typical scalar wireless sensor networks to networks with multimedia devices that are capable to retrieve video, audio, images, as well as scalar sensor data. WMSNs are able to deliver multimedia content due to the availability of inexpensive CMOS cameras and microphones coupled with the significant progress in distributed signal processing and multimedia source coding techniques. In this paper, we outline the design challenges of WMSNs, give a comprehensive discussion of the proposed architectures, algorithms and protocols for the different layers of the communication protocol stack for WMSNs, and evaluate the existing WMSN hardware and testbeds. The paper will give the reader a clear view of the state of the art at all aspects of this research area, and shed the light on its main current challenges and future trends. We also hope it will foster discussions and new research ideas among its researchers.

A routing mechanism based on the sensing relevancies of source nodes for time-critical applications in visual sensor networks

“…Group of relevance 2 available paths (p 1 < p 2 ) p 1 Maximum and high relevance packets p 2 Medium and low relevance packets 3 available paths (p 1 < p 2 < p 3 ) p 1 Maximum relevance packets p 2 High relevance packets p 3 Medium and low relevance packets 4 available paths (p 1 < p 2 < p 3 < p 4 ) p 1 Maximum relevance packets p 2 High relevance packets p 3 Medium relevance packets p 4 Low relevance packets 5 or more available paths (p 1 < p 2 < p 3 < p 4 < p (4 + i) ) p 1 Maximum relevance packets p 2 High relevance packets p 3 Medium relevance packets p 4 Low relevance packets p (4 + i) Backup paths…”

“…Different routing approaches have been investigated in recent years for wireless sensor networks, addressing issues as energy-efficiency, delay constraints and data packet prioritization [3][8] [9]. We are mainly concerned in surveying optimizations in the way packets are routed in wireless multimedia sensor networks, where the transmission requirements are more stringent when compared with traditional scalar sensor networks.…”

“…Visual information retrieved from the monitored field in the form of video streaming, conventional snapshots, infrared or thermal images can significantly enhance a large set of monitoring applications, besides fostering the development of new ones [3] [4]. We can cite surveillance, tracking, disaster monitoring, home automation, industrial control, traffic management and battlefield surveillance as some of the applications addressed by visual sensor networks.…”

Dynamic power control for energy harvesting wireless multimedia sensor networks

“…This class of networks is perceived as an evolution of AdHoc networks with specific energy and computation limitations. Also, the increasing availability, at low cost, of multimedia devices (cameras, microphones,...) has triggered the emergence of multimedia wireless sensor networks (WMSN) [1,2]. With the diversity of their application domains, ranging from healthcare and intelligent patient monitoring to disaster relief and industrial process supervision through intrusion detection and border protection, WMSN hold a promising future [3].…”

Progressive Image Transmission Scheme in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

“…WMSNs can retrieve video streams and audio streams, still images and scalar sensor data from the surrounding environment. WMSNs will have more application domains such as multimedia surveillance sensor networks, telemedicine sensor networks, environment monitoring etc [1][2][3].…”