Maximilian Bergmann 0527201

Assignment 2

(1) Der Artikel Instrumenting the world with wireless sensor networks von D. Estrien et al. beschftigt sich mit den Vorteilen und Herausforderungen bei der Umsetzung kabelloser Sensor-Netzwerke. Hauptvorteil eines kabellosen Systems ist es, dass dieses auch in Regionen eingesetzt werden kann, in denen es keine Infrastruktur fr Kommunikation und Energieversorgung gibt. Hauptanforderungen an ein solches System sind Energieeffizienz, eigenstndige Inbetriebnahme, sowie ein unbeaufsichtigter und anpassungsfhiger Betrieb. Hieraus ergibt sich auch die grte Herausforderung fr ein solches Netzwerk. Da Energie den begrenzenden Faktor darstellt, muss, um Energie zu sparen, die Verarbeitung der Sensorergebnisse mglichst auf den einzelnen Einheiten ausgefhrt werden, da wiederum die bertragung der kompletten Rohdaten zu viel Strom verbrauchen wrde. Der Artikel schlgt folgende technischen Lsungsanstze der fr die verteilte Verarbeitung der Signale vor. Einerseits kohrente Verarbeitungsalgorithmen, die die Effizienz der Kommunikation erhhen. Des Weiteren Lokalisation, wobei die Sensoren ihre Position relativ zueinander bestimmen und eben nicht aufwndig zu einer zentralen Einheit. Und zuletzt eine dynamische Aufteilung des Energieverbrauchs indem man einige Einheiten in einen Ruhezustand versetzt und nur durch die anderen Einheiten aufweckt, wenn sie tatschlich gebraucht werden. Durch einen planmigen Wechsel unter den Einheiten lsst sich die Effizienz weiter steigern. Der Artikel kommt zu dem Schluss, dass uns kabellose, autonome Sensornetzwerke neue Mglichkeiten bieten, aber auch noch vor einige groe Herausforderungen bis zur Verwirklichung stellen.

(2) Like any other new technology RFID also introduces benefits and challenges. Thus the development and implementation of this system is in need of much capital. Even if the implementation is done, it faces high costs for the single tags and there is a general uncertainty among suppliers and distributors. Furthermore, there are several legislation requirements and restrictions concerning the transmission of radio waves by a spectrum licensing because of the impact on other operating receivers in the surrounding. Thus, countries use different frequencies which lead to one of the main technological challenges of the RFID implementation. Although, countries are working on a harmonization there is no world-wide standard format which makes it difficult to use the system between different nations and they are somehow unwilling to share their competitive advantage which they gained through a better inventory tracking and supply chain management. There are many applications that need the interoperation of RFID products from different suppliers in different areas in order to work properly. Therefore, there have been a number of tries to develop specifications to standardize some system aspects. Another problem can be seen within the use of the scanners and tags because of the signal absorption over longer distances or throughout different materials.
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Maximilian Bergmann 0527201

Assignment 2

Scanners for example emit UHF waves which are absorbed by liquids and the waves are reflected by metals. Consequently, an incorrect reading might occur which leads to wrong data. This absorption process results in a signal strengths reduction and it is known as attenuation. Other technical challenges are referring to the reliability of reading range and the interference of the tags. To challenge this interference between the tags, some kind of mechanism has to be built into the way in which the RFID system operates. This mechanism is called an anticollision protocol. The problem with radio waves is that any kind of signal disruption directly brings difficulties in terms of data transmission which makes this system vulnerable. Furthermore, the longer the distance of transmission is the lower the reception of the original wave becomes which is called inverse square relationship. Due to the fact that RFID systems make use of the electromagnetic spectrum, they are relatively easy to disrupted using energy at the right frequency which could be extremely negative in environments like hospitals or military. The above mentioned challenges may always be of a concern or may occur. However, all these technical and non-technical challenges are somehow important; I think that the most challenging concern is the cost efficiency. Developing a new technology such as the RFID system always brings the challenge to keep the implementation costs as low as possible. As a company, the introduction of this system requires a strategic review of their business processes and relationships with suppliers and distributors. Last but not least, despite all these challenges, there is the need of investment incentives for manufacturers and retailers in order to successfully adopting the technology and to gain the benefits of the RFID system.

(3)