Cloud-centric Sensor Networks - Deflating the hype

Much has been deliberated lately on the adaptability of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to transition into a Cloud-based paradigm. This divergence has been mainly attributed to enabling a dynamic design, larger spread and a more distributed control scheme for WSNs that are inherently static and data-centric. Thus, transitioning into a service-centric paradigm, with the “Cloud” as an enabler, seems appealing. In this paper we argue against the seemingly straight forward transition, and emphasize the pitfalls in transitioning WSNs to an inherently distributed architecture. We articulate on four grounds, temporal and spatial limitations, resilience measures, energy efficiency and functional decomposition. Sheer connectivity, as an intrinsic property that presents hindrances in all these factors, is addressed in light of each. Finally, we present insights into future progressions of WSNs that boosts their dynamic presence without impacting intrinsic design dimensions. This paper serves both as an analytic overview of current directions and hindrances, and an overview to where we can go next in remedy to current and projected bottlenecks in Cloud-based sensing systems.