[farber]
>May 09, 2007 CIO <http://www.cio.com> Researchers at Harvard >University and BBN Technologies have designed an intriguing wireless >network capable of reporting real-time sensor data across an entire >city, Cambridge, Mass. Scientists will initially use the CitySense >network to monitor urban weather and pollution. The network could >eventually provide better public wireless Internet access. > >The system solves a constraint on previous wireless networksbattery >lifeby mounting each node on a municipal streetlamp, where it draws >power from city electricity. Researchers plan to install 100 sensors on >streetlamps throughout Cambridge by 2011, using a grant from the >National Science Foundation. Each node will include an embedded PC >running the Linux OS, an 802.11 Wi-Fi interface and weather sensors, >says Matt Welsh, assistant professor of computer science at Harvard. > >For the sensors, the streetlamp approach opens up a new range of >usesfor example, performing long-term experiments like real-time >environmental monitoring, correlating microclimates with population >health or tracking the spread of biochemical agents, according to BBN. > >A large challenge was how to design a network that allows remote nodes >to communicate with the central servers at Harvard and BBN. CitySense >will do that by letting each node form a mesh with its neighbors, >exchanging data through multiple-hop links. This strategy allows a node >to download software or upload sensor data to a distant server hub using >a small radio with only a 1-kilometer range, Welsh says. > >People have built such networks on smaller scales before, but for >private purposes, or to provide wireless Internet links in towns such as >Madison, Wis., and Champaign, Ill., Welsh says. In contrast, CitySense >will let academic researchers worldwide log on to the project website >and submit their own research programs to run on the network. > ><http://www.cio.com/article/108413/ >Harvard_BBN_Use_Streetlamps_to_Light_Up_Wireless_Network> --------------------------------------------------------------- WWWhatsup NYC http://pinstand.com - http://punkcast.com --------------------------------------------------------------- _______________________________________________ Discuss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.isoc-ny.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
