Sensor network technology has become more developed in the past few years, and real networks are currently being deployed in vineyards, homes, office buildings, city streets, factories, etc. Unfortunately, the time required to program and debug these networks can be formidable. In this course, we explore the impedance matching between different programming paradigms with different sensor network applications: how well the abstractions required for particular programming paradigm can be used express a particular sensor network algorithm, and how efficiently these algorithms can be expressed on the sensor network. The course will require a project proposal and preliminary implementation, including a final report and presentation. Proposals will be graded by both the instructor and by classmates. The analysis of one paper, including a presentation in class, will also be required.

This course is suitable for graduate students with little prior experience in sensor networks. However, we will only briefly cover the basics of motes, sensors, nesC, and TinyOS, which must be learned from the online tutorials (www.tinyos.net). See CS451 for more rigorous coverage of these topics.

The Honor System and the School of Engineering and Applied Science

The School of Engineering and Applied Science relies upon and cherishes its community of trust. We firmly endorse, uphold, and embrace the University’s Honor principle that students will not lie, cheat, or steal, and we expect all students to take responsibility for the System and the privileges that it provides. We recognize that even one Honor infraction can destroy an exemplary reputation that has taken years to build. Acting in a manner consistent with the principles of Honor will benefit every member of the community both while enrolled in the Engineering School and in the future.

 If you have questions about your Honor System or would like to report suspicions of an Honor offense, please contact Justin Starr (jstarr@virginia.edu) or Alison Tramba (avtramba@virginia.edu).