Hibernets: energy-efficient sensor networks using analog signal processing

In-network processing is recommended for many sensor network applications to reduce communication and improve energy efficiency. However, constraints on memory, speed, and energy currently limit the processing capabilities within a sensor network. In this paper, we describe how ultra-low-power analog circuitry can be integrated with sensor nodes to create energy-efficient sensor networks. We present a custom analog frontend which performs spectral analysis at a fraction of the power used by a digital counterpart. We then show that the front-end can be combined with existing sensor nodes to (1) selectively wake up the mote based upon spectral content of the signal, thus increasing battery life without missing interesting events, and to (2) achieve low-power signal analysis using an analog spectral decomposition block, freeing up digital computation resources for higher-level analysis. Categories and Subject Descriptors B.7 [Integrated Circuits]: Miscellaneous; C.3 [Special-purpose and ...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2010
• Where: IPSN
• Authors: Brandon Rumberg, David W. Graham, Vinod Kulathumani
• Keywords: In-network Processing, IPSN 2010, Sensor Networks, Sensor Nodes