Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
11.2 Wireless Sensor Network Validation
The focal point of the design process is a specification, collecting all functional and nonfunctional
requirements of the system. It is the core document during the development and used to verify and
validate the systems function and performance. It has been shown that efforts spent on specification
and the identification of the requirements yields better results over the whole system development
life cycle []. The specification as the core document is the fundamental basis for validating WSN
systems.
Especially for interdisciplinary research between other scientific fields such as geosciences and the
WSN community, there is a significant challenge in building functioning, performing, and reliable
systems. The reason is that the system may not be completely specified at design time. Researchers
typicallydonotknowthequantityofrequiredsensors,thesamplingperiod,nordotheyhavea
clear and definite description of the system environment. hus researchers look for the culmination
of an ultimate sensor node for an initial prototype: feature-rich, everlasting, resilient, and reliable.
Before restricting to limited data researchers are looking for a rich data set to better understand the
observed phenomenon and to be able to derive an accurate model. Some projects have already shown
that prototyping is a viable approach []. Starting from an over-provisioned, feature-rich prototype,
collected real-world data may be used to minimize sensory inputs []. Some technologies like the
Sun Spots [] combine a more powerful processor with a low-power microcontroller for controlling
the duty cycles for deep sleep states. his might be a first step toward a prototyping platform, since it
allows to employ the standard Java design methodology along with available tools and support.
In the following, we focus on validating a comprehensive WSN system by applying testing strate-
gies. However, formal verification tools and methods are invaluable to assist the validation of system
components.
11.2.1 Wireless Sensor Network Test Platforms
The design of a WSN systems relies on using different test platforms which allow for testing differ-
ent system properties and functionalities. Figure . compares different test platforms along three
characteristic properties: scalability, visibility, and abstraction. The following sections describe the
individual properties, present prominent examples and a discussion of the application areas of
individual tool classes.
Glomosim
Tossim
DSN
Scalability
!"
Visibility
Abstraction
FIGURE .
Comparison of different test platforms along the three major test platform properties.
