Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (Muse-Net): Multimedia Communication and Processing in WSNs

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been proposed to enable in-situ observation of inhospitable areas over long periods of time. So far, existing WSN proposals and testbeds have focused on applications that require simple, low complexity signal acquisition and communication mechanisms. Until very recently, the use of multimedia sensors and communication of the related content have been deemed “unsuitable” for WSNs due to limited communication, computation, and energy resources. However, it is also clear that the delivery of multimedia information, such as still image, video, and audio, across a WSN will both enable new applications and improve the utility of the existing ones.

In this talk, the Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network (Muse-Net) concept, architecture, challenges, and possible solution directions are introduced. As Muse-Nets are envisioned to have no additional resources other than the inclusion of multimedia sensors, new approaches for multimedia processing, communication, and resource allocation must be designed for Muse-Nets. Geared towards the satisfaction of application-level requirements, we will give examples of new solutions that operate in resource-limited environment of Muse-Nets. More specifically, distributed ultra-low energy multimedia processing methods, distributed QoS-based communication protocols, and capacity estimation and resource allocation models will be introduced with examples. Simulation and analysis-based results are also discussed with an eye towards integration and implementation of multimedia sensors to existing sensor network testbeds.
Eylem Ekici has received his BS and MS degrees in Computer Engineering from Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey, in 1997 and 1998, respectively. He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, in 2002. Currently, he is an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. Dr. Ekici's current research interests include wireless sensor networks, next generation wireless systems, and vehicular communication systems, with a focus on routing and medium access control protocols, resource management, and analysis of network architectures and protocols. He also conducts research on interfacing of dissimilar networks.