Internet of Things: Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are generating increasing interest from industry and research. This is driven by the availability of inexpensive, low-powered miniature components such as processors, radios and sensors which are sometimes integrated on a single chip.

The idea of the Internet of Things (IoT) developed in parallel to WSNs. While IoT doesn’t assume a specific communication technology, wireless communication technologies will play a major role in the roll-out of IoT. WSNs will drive many applications and many industries.

This white paper discusses the use and evolution of WSNs in the wider context of IoT. It provides a review of WSN applications, infrastructures technologies, applications as well as standards that apply to WSN designs.

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The white paper was prepared by the IEC Market Strategy Board (MSB) wireless sensor networks project team in cooperation with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).