Distributed sensor networks—a review of recent research

Advances in sensor technology and computer networks have enabled distributed sensor networks (DSNs) to evolve from small clusters of large sensors to large swarms of micro-sensors, from fixed sensor nodes to mobile nodes, from wired communications to wireless communications, from static network topology to dynamically changing topology. However, these technological advances have also brought new challenges to processing large amount of data in a bandwidth-limited, power-constraint, unstable and dynamic environment. This paper reviews recent developments in DSNs from four aspects: network structure, data processing paradigm, sensor fusion algorithm with emphasis on fault-tolerant algorithm design, and optimal sensor deployment strategy.