Electrical Engineering MA, Sensor Networks, 7.5 credits

Aim

The course aims to provide an understanding of the opportunities offered by wireless sensor networks and how they are structured in regard to hardware and routines for network communication.

Course objectives

After the successful completion of this course, the student shall be able to:
- Exemplify applications of sensor networks, as well as to analyze which requirements these applications place on the underlying hardware and networking technologies.
- Exemplify wired and wireless network protocols for embedded systems, and compare their characteristics
- Describe properties of wireless communication, such as path loss and phenomena that lead to signal interference.
- Describe different classes of MAC protocols, routing protocols and network topologies for wireless sensor networks, as well as to analyze their impact on system performance.
- Compare different methods for the reduction of energy consumption in wireless sensor networks.
- Implement wireless sensor networks by programming realtime operating systems for embedded systems, as well as to verify system functionality.

Content

The course covers:
- Applications of sensor networks and technologies necessary for hardware and software implementation
- Architectures of wireless sensor devices
- Network topologies
- Sources of interference in wireless communication
- Protocols for Multiple Access Control in wireless sensor networks
- Routing in wireless sensor networks
- Methods for the reduction of energy consumption in wireless sensor networks
- Programming of wireless sensor nodes

Entry requirements

Electrical Engineering BA (AB), 60 credits, including digital electronics, analog electronics and embedded system programming.

Selection rules and procedures

The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.

Teaching form

This course contains lectures, group seminars and laboratory sessions.

Examination form

I102: Laboratory assignment, 1.5 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

L102: Laboratory sessions, 2 Credits
Grade scale: Fail (U) or Pass (G)

T102: Written exam, 4 Credits
Grade scale: Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.

Grading criteria for the subject are available at www.miun.se/gradingcriteria.

The examiner has the right to offer alternative examination arrangements to students who have been granted the right to special support by Mid Sweden University’s disabilities adviser.

Grading system

Seven-grade scale, A, B, C, D, E, Fx and F. Fx and F represent fail levels.