Wireless sensor networks: Wireless traffic sign application

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are wireless networks consisting of spatially distributed autonomous devices using sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environment conditions. WSNs consist few to thousands low cost nodes which could either have a fixed location or randomly deployed to monitor the environment. WSNs have been used in many civilian application areas, including environment and habitat monitoring, healthcare applications, home automation. WSN can also be deployed in Intelligent Transport System (ITS) in order to increase safety and traveler convenience. In this thesis work, history, standard, protocols and applications of WSNs are studied. Especially, IEEE 802.15.4 standard and Zigbee specification characteristics, network topologies, and protocol architecture. I have been further investigated in order to design a Wireless Traffic Sign Network based on Zigbee wireless nodes. This network can be used to send information from wireless traffic signs to display on vehicle monitor for driving assistance or traffic warning. This network can also be used to send data from a control center to a specific wireless node for traffic light controlling or traffic information notification.