Mar 22 2010
Research and Markets has released its report titled ‘Wireless Sensor Networks 2010-2020’.
The report focuses on the next 10 years of self-healing and self-organising, small node networks called the wireless sensor networks (WSNs).
These networks have capabilities for applications for military, industrial, and many sectors. Although these networks have experienced extensive sales, their further progress would depend on their standards and accomplishing a life span of 20 years.
This new IDTech report has drawn lessons that evolved out of an analysis of various wireless sensor networks installed during the last year. The report has evaluated the wireless networks standards scenario with special emphasis on Wireless HART. Wireless HART is critical for various short- and medium-term applications in the process industries. The report also illustrates how the substitute ISA 100.11a, though in the initial stage now, is likely to be useful for a wider range of applications, with a possibility to include Wireless HART eventually.
The report has studied current successes of variants of the ZigBee-enabled solutions that support sensor network alternatives and their future. The report addresses on the hurdles caused by the consumption of large amounts of power by these sensor nodes that must function as readers as well as tags.
For instance, enhanced circuitry and better signaling protocols have enabled electronic components to consume less power. When it comes to batteries, though single-use versions of lithium thionyl chloride batteries have a life span of 20 years in certain situations, energy-harvesting schemes to recharge batteries are more attractive. This raises many questions such as the existence of a rechargeable battery with a 20-year guarantee and new batteries coming up in 10 years that have a possibility of excellence. The report analyzes the preferred energy-efficient technologies for future applications, such as piezoelectric, photovoltaic, thermoelectric, or electrodynamic technologies. The report is ascertaining when a combination of these energy harvesting technologies can be used and their current capabilities achieved.
The report explores the applications of various sectors of WSNs that offer the maximum potential. These issues are discussed in-depth in the report along with a detailed analysis of development programs and WSN projects. The analysis also includes the development of enhanced WSN and supplier profiles.
Major topics covered in the report include an executive summary with conclusions; physical structure, protocols and software of WSN, potential and actual applications of WSN, developers and their WSN project examples, power for tags, impediments for rolling out WSN, WSN markets for 2010-2120, and profiles of 40 WSN-related power source developers and suppliers.
Companies mentioned in the report include A123 Systems, Altairnano, Advanced Battery Technologies, BYD, BASF-Sion, Cymbet, China BAK, Celxpert, CapXX, Duracell, Energize USA and Fife Batteries UK, Electrovaya, and LGChem.