An activity-based sensor networks course for undergraduates with sun spot devices

ABSTRACT

Wireless sensor networks are revolutionizing the instrumentation of the physical world, across scientific, industrial and military applications. In this paper, we describe our efforts developing and classroom-testing hands-on materials for use in undergraduate-accessible courses on sensor networks. In Winter 2008 at Portland State University, we introduced an in-class laboratory component to a sensor networks course that had previously been entirely lecture-based. For the laboratory exercises, we utilized Sun's Java-programmable Sun SPOT [7] sensor network technology. We found the Sun SPOT based laboratory activities to be quite powerful as a teaching and excitement-fostering tool.

REFERENCES

• 1: Blumenthal, J., Grossman, R., Golatowski, F., and Timmerman, D. Weighted Centroid Localization in Zigbee-based Sensor Networks. In Proceedings of IEEE International Symposium on Intelligent Signal Processing (Alcala de Henares, October 03-05 2007). WISP '07. IEEE, 1--6. DOI= 10.1109/WISP.2007.4447528
• 2: Crossbow MICAz motes. http://www.xbow.com/products/product_pdf_files/wireless_pdf/6020-0060-01_a_micaz.pdf.
• 3: Laurent Eschenauer , Virgil D. Gligor, A key-management scheme for distributed sensor networks, Proceedings of the 9th ACM conference on Computer and communications security, November 18-22, 2002, Washington, DC, USA [doi>10.1145/586110.586117]
• 4: Mache, J., Allick, C., Charnas, J., Hickman, A., and Tyman, D. Sensor Network Lab Exercises Using TinyOS and MicaZ Motes. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Pervasive Systems and Computing (Las Vegas, NV, June 2006). PSC '06. CSREA Press, 154.
• 5: Mache, J., Dean, E., and Imber. K. Sensor Network Lab Exercises Using TinyOS and MicaZ Motes, Part II. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Wireless Networks (Las Vegas, NV, June 25-28 2007). ICWN '07. CSREA Press, 464--467.
• 6: NesC. http://nescc.sourceforge.net/.
• 7: Sun SPOTs. http://www.sunspotworld.com/.
• 8: Sun Student Courses: SPOTs-101. http://www.sunstudentcourses.com/course/view.php?id=12.
• 9: TinyOS. http://www.tinyos.net/.
• 10: Tyman, D., Dua, A., Mache, J., and Bulusu, N. "Contour Tracking: A Comprehensive Student Project for Sensor Network Education." In Proceedings of ACM SIGCOMM Conference on Applications, Technologies, Architectures, and Protocols for Computer Communications (Seattle, WA, August 17-22 2008). SIGCOMM '08. ACM Press, New York, NY, 519.
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.3 SPECIAL-PURPOSE AND APPLICATION-BASED SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Real-time and embedded systems

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.1 Network Architecture and Design
          Subjects: Wireless communication
  C.3 SPECIAL-PURPOSE AND APPLICATION-BASED SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Signal processing systems; Microprocessor/microcomputer applications

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
embedded computing, java, sun spots, wireless sensor networks