An effective wireless-sensor network requires the integration of two key components: low-rncost, low-power, scalable hardware and man-ageable software. The industry has shown signs of delivering on the first need with more cost-rneffective microprocessors and chip sets thatrnallow for lower power communications. A good example is the ZigBee protocol, in which devices can have a duty cycle of less than 1% and an extended battery life of as long as two years using common AA batteries. However, the industry has yet to deliver software that addresses such communications challenges as message routing, node management, and application development.
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