Energy-aware distributed fence surveillance for wireless sensor networks

Fences are used all over the world to protect areas against unauthorized access. While most fences meet these requirements by building a physical and psychological barrier against intruders, this is not sufficient for areas of particular interest like restricted areas of an airport or construction sites with expensive goods. To detect intruders we integrate wireless sensor nodes into a fence. We fulfill the requirements for real-world energy-awareness by using active sensors with configurable logic, power saving modes like WOR and power down modes. The sensor nodes are capable of differentiating between several events, with the appliance of a distributed classification algorithm. We present an energy-aware platform for a distributed fence surveillance system in a wireless sensor network. We report on our experience in creating a platform that is concerning energy and performance demands and specifically tailored for the purpose of fence surveillance including fully integrated housing.