Wireless sensors, far more common in industry than in the world of consumers, are reaching the industrial marketplace because of a combination of technological and economic driving forces.

Technical Insights report separates the good news from the mundane by providing the following:

• A detailed overview of technological advances in development laboratories
• Identification of key companies and developers and estimates of timelines for commercializing technology
• Definitions of key markets and applications
• Reporting on technology drivers as well as obstacles in the way of commercial success
• A detailed list of key contacts in the field, including names, titles, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and URLs

These sensors, with control and command signals operated by radio frequency waves, are becoming increasingly popular on factory floors and among key sensor development companies.

"The merging of wireless communications and sensors is a monumental step for both of these technologies," says Technical Insights analyst James P. Smith. "The growth of the personal communications market is driving the cost of radio frequency devices down and quality levels up."

The expenses associated with installing, terminating, testing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and upgrading wiring is also growing. With wire in some specialized installations approaching $2000 per foot, the appeal of wireless systems is obvious.

Though wireless sensors offer distinct solutions, many engineers are not yet convinced that they will be reliable in the factory floor environment. Generally, when a wireless sensor network is designed for a real-world application, engineers tend to support a proven product, although it may have limitations.

"Customer acceptance of wireless technology, led by the wireless telephone market, is likely to spread to industry similar to the way industrial clients have accepted the personal computer," says Smith. "Trends are already evident that encourage increased use of sensors, software, and controls to bolster a company's competitive advantage."

Although their applications are likely to become far more widespread, wireless sensors currently depend on applications in which wiring is impossible to install, too expensive, or where operating and support costs are prohibitively high. These include environments where sealed compartments are required.

1. Executive Summary

A. Executive Summary

1. Wireless Sensors and Integrated Wireless Sensor Networks

2. Scope of This Report

2. Introduction

A. Evolution of Wireless Sensors Technologies

1. Evolution of Wireless Sensor Technologies

2. Standards

3. Market Drivers

4. Some Cutting-Edge Applications of Wireless Sensor Systems

B. Sensor Definitions; Smart Sensors and Applications

1. Sensor Classification Based on Complexity

2. Smart Sensors and Applications

C. Technologies Driving Sensor Development

1. Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS)

2. Piezoelectric Materials

3. Intelligent Control

4. Embedded Networking or Wireless Sensors

5. Wireless Communications and Wireless Sensors

6. Fiber Optics

7. Environmental Controls

3. Why Wireless Sensors? Economics and Technology

A. The Emergence of Smart Devices and Smart Sensors

1. The Emergence of Smart Devices and Smart Sensors

2. Application of Smart Sensors

3. An Application of Wireless Smart Sensors

4. Some Leading Manufacturers of Smart and Wireless Sensors

B. Wireless Sensors Have Possibilities--and Problems

1. A Profile of the Ideal Wireless Sensor

2. Low Power Usage

3. Throughput

4. How Low Will the Price Go?

5. Moore's Law and the Future of Wireless Sensors

6. Intel's Plan--Optoelectronics and Wireless Everywhere

4. Wireless Systems Drive Future Technologies

A. Wireless Sensors to Play a Major Role in Future Technologies

1. Playing a Major Role in Future Technologies

2. Automobiles of the Future

3. Wireless Sensors

4. Communications and Computers

5. Medical Treatment

B. Associated Technologies

1. Fiber-Optic Sensors

2. Fiber Optics and Telecommunications

3. Emerging Fiber-Optic Applications

4. Infrared Local Area Networks

5. On-Chip and Discrete RF Micro-electromechanical Systems

C. Security In The Wireless Information Age

1. Security in the Wireless Information Age

2. "Smart Pebbles" Aid Security and Surveillance Operations

5. Applications of Wireless Sensors

A. Frequencies Available for Wireless Sensing Applications

1. Frequencies Available for Wireless Sensing Applications

2. Wireless Basics

B. Analytical and Testing Instrumentation

1. Multivariate Calibration--Leaving the Old "Linear Only" Sensors Far Behind

2. Sensors Testing the Waters

3. Mini Sensors Detect Hazardous Compounds

4. Monitor Molecular Adsorption in Liquids

5. High-Speed Wireless Technology Propels Ocean Exploration

C. Sensors Monitor Mechanical and Structural Systems

1. UCLA Earthquake Network Sensors Will Improve Building Safety

2. Wireless Sensors May Warn of Cracks Forming in Concrete

3. Sensors Monitor White-Hot Aircraft Brakes

4. Smart Buildings Are the Future

D. Medical Applications

1. Machine Sensors Are Applicable to Human Ills

2. 'Bionic' Replacement Parts Become More Human

3. Remote Heartbeat Monitor Will Outperform Current Technology

4. New Diagnostic Devices Could Predict Impending Problems

5. Wireless Video Saves Critical Minutes for Stroke Victims

6. A Chip in the Arm Broadcasts a Person?fs Presence

7. Capsule Endoscope--Essentially a Pill with a Video Camera

8. APA Offers Final Solution to Lost or Stolen Pet Problem

9. ORNL Is Developing Medical Telesensors for the Military

E. Evolving Commercial Products and Services

1. Wi-Fi Wireless Networks Bring Broadband Access to the Public

2. From I-Mode to C-Mode

6. Network Architectures and Electronics

A. Wireless Sensor Network Topologies

1. Wireless Sensor Network Topologies

2. Multidrop Networks

B. Wireless Sensor Networks

1. Wireless Sensor Networks

2. Can Nodes Talk and Listen Simultaneously?

3. Analog Versus Digital

4. Baseband Versus Broadband

5. Master-Slave Versus Peer-to-Peer Versus Broadcast

6. Circuit Switched Versus Packet Switched

7. Web Networks

8. Self-Locating Wireless Devices

C. Networks Carry Sensor Data: How Far?

1. Networks Carry Sensor Data: How Far?

2. Summary of Simple Industrial Networks

3. Low-Power Circuits Increasingly Needed in Wireless Age

4. Wireless Net May Require Smart Antennas

5. FCC Approves Limited Use of Ultra-Wideband Technology

7. Wireless Sensor Networks: Standards and Protocols

A. Introduction to Wireless Sensor Technology

1. Bluetooth Presents Huge Potential for Wireless Sensors

2. IEEE Approves Fixed Broadband Wireless Standard

3. HiperLAN2: Emerging Standard or European Fumble?

4. Wireless Rivals Recast as Buddies

5. Bluetooth Sensors: Will They Deliver?

6. Disadvantages of Traditional Sensors

B. Potential and Challenge

1. Wireless Sensor Challenges

2. Wireless Sensor Potential

8. Recent Advances in Wireless Systems

A. Microsoft Preps Windows Information Appliance

1. Windows Information Appliance

2. Similar Systems to Microsoft's

B. Analog and Digital - Hand in Hand

1. Analog and Digital--Hand in Hand

2. Ready-Made Silicon

3. 500 Megabit Throughput Goal

C. Wearable Technologies: Fashion Statements or Augmented Reality?

1. Wearable Technologies: Fashion Statements or Augmented Reality

2. Who Are the Potential Users?

3. What Can Wearable Devices Deliver?

4. Are There Any Commercial Models?

5. What are the Technological Challenges?

6. Penetrating the Mass Market

D. Wireless Network Lets Objects Talk Back

1. Wireless Network Lets Objects Talk Back

2. Cluttered Environment

E. Critters-On-A-Chip Combines Electronics With Living Sensors

1. Critters-On-A-Chip

2. How the Critters Work

F. Voice over WLAN: Does it Make Sound Sense

1. Voice over WLAN: Does it Make Sound Sense?

2. Convergence Has Its Benefits

3. Still there are Challenges...

G. Low Power Wireless Experiment

1. Low Power Wireless Experiment

2. Low-Cost Nodes

9. Company Profiles and Appendices

A. Company Profiles

1. Company Profiles

2. Appendix 1: Contacts. Researchers Working on Wireless Data Systems

3. Appendix 2: A Brief Description of Some Basic Sensor Types

4. Appendix 3: Wireless Acronyms and Definitions

10. Technical Insights' 2002 Science and Technology Awards

A. Science and Technology Awards

1. Awards Background

2. Technology Innovation: Crossbow Technology Inc.

3. Technology Leadership: Axonn LLC