Low power systems for wireless microsensors

Abstract

Low power wireless sensor networks provide a new monitoring and control capability for civil and military applications in transportation, manufacturing, biomedical, environmental management, and safety and security systems. Wireless microsensor network nodes, operating at average and peak power levels constrained by compact power sources, offer a range of important challenges for low power methods. This paper reports advances in low power systems spanning network design, through power management, low power mixed signal circuits, and highly integrated RF network interfaces. Particular attention is focused on methods for low power RF receiver systems.