Wireless sensor networks for space applications


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The application of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) into time-sensitive applications, such as remote healthcare, fire tracking and industrial automation, demands support for emergency services with guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) bounds. In particular, the continuous monitoring of physiological condition of crew members during long space missions is of paramount importance to NASA as it enables mitigating astronaut health and performance risks. The extravehicular activities (EVA) performed by NASA astronauts are mentally and physically demanding and the astronauts tend to exert themselves, which may result in serious injuries and significant performance degradation. Proactive healthcare (avoiding emergencies) will play a major role in guaranteeing safe and productive human space flights. Continual health tracking and local response advisory capabilities, within space environments, are crucial to ensure consistent astronaut performance and the overall mission success. This talk will present challenges and opportunities of wireless sensor network in space applications and the investigation of wireless access technique to implement Quality of Service capabilities to meet the stringent requirements of WSN implementation in space applications. The talk will also present current performance evaluation of a new QoS wireless access technique as well as an implementation of WSN in remote health monitoring.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Nanotechnology 2009: Fabrication, Particles, Characterization, MEMS, Electronics and Photonics
Published: May 3, 2009
Pages: 513 - 516
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: MEMS & NEMS Devices, Modeling & Applications
ISBN: 978-1-4398-1782-7