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Spatio-temporal Context in Wireless Sensor Networks

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Theoretical Aspects of Distributed Computing in Sensor Networks

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Abstract

Context represents any knowledge obtained from Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) regarding the object being monitored. Context-awareness is an important feature of WSN applications as it provides an ultimate tool for making the applications “smart”. The information about a sensed in a WSN phenomenon is comprehensive only when it includes the geographical location and the time of occurrence of the phenomenon. Thus, the location and time are essential constituents of WSNs’ context, though the concept of context is not limited to only space and time. In this chapter, we consider the spatio-temporal context of WSNs as it serves as a foundation for context-aware systems. In order to build context-aware WSNs it is necessary to consider three areas concerning the spatio-temporal correlation of events sensed in WSNs: node localization, temporal event ordering and time synchronization. While localization’s task is to provide geographic coordinates of a sensed event, preserving temporal relationships of the events in WSNs is necessary for ensuring their correct interpretation at the monitoring centre and for taking proper and prompt actions. The latter can be achieved by guaranteeing time synchronization and temporal event ordering mechanisms. We present an overview of selected algorithms in each of the areas, first providing the necessary background and then presenting a comparison of features of the discussed algorithms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ottawa, 800 King Edward Ave, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Anahit Martirosyan

  2. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Azzedine Boukerche

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  1. Anahit Martirosyan
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  2. Azzedine Boukerche
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Correspondence to Anahit Martirosyan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Technology Institute, N. Kazantzaki Street 1, Rion, Patras, 265 04, Greece

    Sotiris Nikoletseas

  2. Centre Universitaire d'Informatique, Université de Genève, rte de Drize 7, Carouge, 1227, Switzerland

    José D.P. Rolim

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Martirosyan, A., Boukerche, A. (2011). Spatio-temporal Context in Wireless Sensor Networks. In: Nikoletseas, S., Rolim, J. (eds) Theoretical Aspects of Distributed Computing in Sensor Networks. Monographs in Theoretical Computer Science. An EATCS Series. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14849-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14849-1_10

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