A framework for controlling the operations of sensor networks from the cloud

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) have evolved as one of the most important research topics in the last decades. A new paradigm of combining WSN with cloud computing has led to what is called Sensor-Cloud, in which the cloud capabilities are utilised to manage the sensors that are scattered throughout the WSN. In this paper, we propose a new approach for managing the various operations of a WSN from cloud data centres. Our system enables WSN administrators to control the behaviours and operations of sensor nodes in a WSN, such as data gathering frequency, sleep mode duration, and node mobility, whenever required. Our system benefits both the WSN user, who can express his requirements and obtain his data more accurately and efficiently, and the WSN administrator or manager who ensures the best network performance. We implemented our system as a new protocol in the Network Simulator 2 (NS2) software, and tested the system performance by executing different scenarios and measuring several parameters such as response time, throughput, and energy consumption.