Research Overview
Emerging Standardization Expected to Spur Uptake of Wireless Sensor
Networks
The market is transitioning from wireless sensor networks based on
proprietary platforms toward a standards-based environment with the emergence of
the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and the recently ratified ZigBee standard.
Standardization is expected to improve interfacing capabilities and allow end
users to migrate to a new service provider without reworking the entire solution
and incurring significantly high costs. "With the growing standardization
of wireless technology, the market is likely to become more streamlined allowing
developers to operate on a common platform and improve interoperability,"
explains the analyst of this research.
In addition, the introduction of standards enables original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) to increase profitability by producing certified devices in
high capacities thereby taking advantage of economies of scale. Device providers
and system integrators can also work with certified documented protocols giving
them more flexibility and freedom for increasing functionality as and when
required and with additional scalability options.
Industrial and Building Automation Presents Numerous Opportunities for
Wireless Sensor Networks
Given its numerous advantages over a wired network, wireless sensor network
technology is expected to grow exponentially and gain a stronghold across
industry verticals such as building automation and industrial applications. The
benefits of wireless sensor networks in these two sectors are enormous and will
serve the purpose of demonstrating their capabilities. "Participants in
this market need to educate end users regarding the obvious cost benefits, ease
of deployment, retrofitting applications, and scalability to increase the uptake
of wireless sensor networks," says the analyst.
For instance, building automation applications such as lighting and occupancy
sensors demonstrate high energy efficiency levels, quicker return on investment,
and ease of deployment and removal. Such devices are expected to find increasing
acceptance among major retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot where optimal
energy consumption and reduced energy costs are a primary concern. In the
industrial automation space, the largest opportunity for wireless sensor
networks lies in sensing devices in remote or inaccessible areas such as nuclear
plants, oil and gas fields, and high temperature furnaces.
Scaling Network Size Remains a Significant Challenge
Although wireless sensor networks are easy to deploy at exceptionally low
costs in comparison to a wired network, there are several technical challenges
such as network management, monitoring tools, optimal gateway design, and
several other hardware considerations that need to be addressed. However, the
biggest challenge to date is increasing the average deployable network size from
the existing few hundred nodes to a thousand nodes or more. Most companies in
this field are working toward systems that can perform robustly and efficiently
when scaled up to a size of around 500 nodes. Test demonstrations of 800 node
networks are have already been completed successfully but more concerted efforts
are required for gaining a competitive advantage in the mainstream market.
This Frost & Sullivan research analyzes emerging developments that will
enable wireless sensor networks to make an impact across various industry
verticals. In addition to identifying major technology drivers and challenges,
the research provides in-depth application analysis. Participants can also
easily identify potential collaborators to stay ahead of the competition and
remain shoulder-to-shoulder with critical developments.
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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Key Findings
- Noteworthy Emerging Technologies
- Noteworthy Applications
Technology Drivers and Restraints Briefing
- Technology Drivers Outlook
- Technology Restraints Outlook
2 TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS VIEWPOINT
Technology Primer and Standards
- Technology Primer
- Topologies
- IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee Standards
Applications Analysis And Trends
- Introduction To Application Analysis
- Medical Applications
- Security Applications
- Proactive Computing
- Environmental & Agricultural Applications
- Structural Sensing Applications
- Application Trends
- Ranking of Application Segments and Technology Roadmap
Influential Market Factors
- Industry Trends
- Innovation Assessment Table
- Stakeholder Analysis
3 TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FACTOR ANALYSIS
Primary Challenges
- Technology Restraints
- Competing Technologies
Analysis of Drivers
- Technology Benefits
- Adoption Drivers
4 NOTEWORTHY INNOVATIONS
Noteworthy Innovation at Key Companies
- Wireless Sensors Monitor Bio-Potential Signals In The Body--United States
- Wireless Sensors Without Batteries--United States
- Wireless Sensors For Structural Monitoring--United States
- Development Platform For Implementation Of Wireless Sensor
Networks--United States
- Chipcon Delivers Industrys First IEEE 802.15.4 And Zigbee
System-On-Chip Solution--Norway
- Mobile Database Using Wireless Sensors Track Patient Care--United States
- Ember And Arcom Build Zigbee-Based Solutions Across IBM Enterprise
Systems--United States
- Low-Power Wireless Mesh Networks Now Commercial--United States
- FCC Certifies Crossbow Motes--United States
- Helicomm Launches Zigbee Development Platform--United States
- Intel And Wireless Sensor Networking--United States
- Zigbee Devices To Become Platform Independent--United States
- Managing Data From Sensors To Become Easy--United States
Noteworthy Innovation at Key Academic and Government-related Institutions
- Remote Monitoring Of Volcanoes With Wireless Sensors--United States
- Sensor Networks Deployed For Robust Location Detection--United States
- Keeping Players In Good Shape Using Wireless Sensors--UK
- Wireless Sensor Networks Aid In Flying Robots--Australia
- Soil Monitoring With Wireless Sensors--UK
- Wireless Sensor Aids In Monitoring Sodium Hypochlorite Content In
Water--UK
- Efficient MAC Protocol For Wireless Sensor Networks--United States
- Protecting Crops With Wireless Sensors--United States
- Zigbee Alliance Ratifies Specification--Worldwide
- NSF Funds Wireless Sensor Project--United States
- Designing Wireless Sensor Networks at Berkeley Manufacturing Institute
(BMI)--United States
5 FROST & SULLIVAN 2005 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AWARDS
Product Innovation
- Award Description
- Award Recipient
Excellence In Technology
- Award Description
- Award Recipient
6 DATABASE OF KEY INDUSTRY PARTICIPANTS; SELECTED PATENTS & GLOSSARY
Database Of Key Industry Participants
- Companies & Organizations
- Universities and Academia
Selected Patents & Glossary
- Selected Patents - 2004
- Selected Patents - 2003
- Selected Patents - 2002
- Glossary
7 CRITICAL REFERENCE TABLES
Decision Support Database Tables
- Worldwide Area Under Agriculture
- Trauma Care Centers In North America
- PDA Sales In North America
- Physicians Using Handheld Devices In North America
- Worldwide Industrial Electrical Consumption
- Total Number Of Retail Stores Worldwide
