A survey of applying ad hoc wireless sensor actuator networks to enhance context-awareness in environmental management systems

Sensor mesh networking is set to be one of the key tools for the future of Ambient Intelligence (AmI) due to new emerging technologies in Ad hoc Wireless Sensor Networks (AWSNs). AWSNs symbolize the new generation of sensor networks with many promising advantages applicable to most networked environments. Unfortunately, however, these practical technologies have some technical problems and, as a consequence, this fascinating field has created novel and interesting challenges, which in turn, have inspired many ongoing research projects and more are likely to follow. Almost certainly, there will be notable improvements in the management of control/actuator networks as a consequence of enhancing the sensitivity capabilities of systems. With an emphasis on Ad hoc Wireless Sensor Actuator Networks (AWSANs) this study presents a systematic analysis of the different existing techniques to improve such systems. It also discusses, analyzes and summarizes the advantages these technologies offer in certain applications and presents a generic solution, in the form of a case study, for an AmI system to enhance the overall environmental management of a campus based on a hierarchical network using an AWSAN.