Aubin Lecointre

Simulation Platform for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band

Impulse Radio Ultra Wide Band (IR-UWB) is a promising technology to address Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) constraints. However, existing network simulation tools do not provide a complete WSN simulation architecture, with the IR-UWB specificities at the PHYsical (PHY) and the Medium Access Control(MAC) layers. In this paper, we propose a WSN simulation architecture based on the IR-UWB technique. At the PHY layer, we take into account the pulse collision by dealing with the pulse propagation delay. We also modelled MAC protocols specific to IRUWB,for WSN applications. To completely fit the WSN simulation requirements, we propose a generic and reusable sensor and sensing channel model. Most of the WSN application performances can be evaluated thanks to the proposed simulation architecture. The proposed models are implemented on a scalable and well known network simulator: Global Mobile Information System Simulator (GloMoSim). However,they can be reused for all other packet based simulation platforms.

Miniaturized Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper addresses an overview of the wireless sensor networks. It is shown that MEMS/NEMS technologies and SIP concept are well suited for advanced architectures. It is also shown analog architectures have to be compatible with digital signal techniques to develop smart network of microsystem

System architecture modeling of an UWB receiver for wireless sensor network

This paper presents a method for system architecture modeling of an IR-UWB (Impulse Radio Ultra WideBand) receiver for sensors networks applications. We expose the way for designing an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) receiver starting from a previous study based on system modeling on Matlab. The proposed receiver architecture is first designed and validated on Matlab, before being implemented, thanks to VHDL language, on a FPGA. Our study shows the interest and the advantages of co-design Matlab-VHDL. We will propose here different IR-UWB receiver architecture depending on the modulation used. We will also introduce in this paper a data-rate and TH-code reconfigurable receiver. Using co-simulation Matlab-VHDL, we have compared three kind of IR-UWB receiver: TH-PPM, TH-OOK, TH-BPAM, with respect to BER/SNR criteria and in the specific context of wireless sensors networks, at high level (Matlab) and hardware level (FPGA-Xilinx).

A Reconfigurable IR-UWB Radio Interface, with Directional Antennas and Localization Capability, for Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper proposes an IR-UWB radio interface layer which is able to deal with WSN context. With this intention, we present a reconfigurable IR-UWB with directional antennas and localization capability at 60 GHz. We introduce the advantages of using the millimeter band, directional antennas, localization and the reconfigurability. We also propose some implementations on a FPGA receiver.

On designing sensor networks with smart antennas

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) is an active research area. The recent advances in the fields of antennae and transmission lets consider massive improvements in the energy and communication management of WSN. However, the new WSN architectures have to evolve to take it into account. This paper presents an extension of the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol to take benefits of smart antennas technology. NS-2 simulations show the feasibility and the benefits of such architecture.

Software defined radio layer for IR-UWB systems in Wireless Sensor Network context

This paper addresses the radio interface problematic for MANET (mobile ad-hoc network) applications. Here we propose to study the radio reconfigurability in order to provide a unique physical layer which is able to deal with all MANET applications. For implementing this reconfigurable physical layer, we propose to use Impulse Radio Ultra WideBand (IR- UWB). This paper presents also our two level design approach for obtaining our reconfigurable IR-UWB receiver on FPGA (field programmable gate array).

SOPC Co-design Platform for UWB System in Wireless Sensor Network Context

This paper presents our approach of the radio interface problematic for wireless sensor network. We introduce the WSN context and constraints associated. We propose an IR-UWB solution and illustrate why it could be a viable solution for WSN. A high level modelling and simulation platform for IR-UWB radio interface is proposed on Matlab. It allows us to determine according to BER versus Eb/N0 criteria and the WSN constraints what kind of design is more adequate. Moreover, a co-design co-simulation platform Matlab VHDL is proposed here. Using this platform we designed IR-UWB transceiver having reconfigurable capabilities, such as data rate reconfiguration, time hopping code, spectrum occupation and radio range reconfiguration.

Architecture Considerations for 60 GHz Pulse Transceiver Front-Ends

While Impulse ultra wideband (I-UWB) is well established in the frequency range between 3.1 and 10.6 GHz, the application of pulse modulation in the frequency band around 60 GHz is a recent development. In this paper, the properties of 60 GHz pulses are outlined. Different architectures for pulse based transceiver front-ends are compared. It is distinguished between the up-conversion of UWB-pulses and their direct generation at millimeter-wave (mmwave) frequencies. Both non-coherent and coherent receiver front-ends are considered. These considerations form the basis for a future 60 GHz UWB transceiver in 65 nm CMOS SOI that can be employed as part of a system on chip (SoC) for sensor networks.

Study of Reconfigurable Mostly Digital Radio for MANET

We introduce the radio reconfigurability thanks to IRUWB mostly digital architecture for MANET context. This particular context implies some constraints on the radio interface such as low cost, low power, small dimensions and simplicity. Here, we propose an implementation of dynamic reconfigurable receiver on ASIC, and FPGA, after having explained the advantages of mostly digital radio for reconfigurability. In this paper, by studying our prototypes, we could prove that reconfigurability is on the contrary with MANET constraints needs. The proposed solution allows data rate, radio range, energy and spectrum occupation reconfigurability.

Evaluation of UWB communication for in-flight entertainment system in the aircraft cabin

This paper deals with the embedded network dedicated to the entertainment system of passenger cabin in an aircraft. The work described in this paper focuses on a wireless solution to interconnect the main components of this system. The selected solution is UWB with smart antennas. This solution is proved to be able to provide the system with the needed bandwidth. The self-configuration capability of the system is also demonstrated.