Theoretical and practical aspects of military wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks can be used by the military for a number of purposes such as monitoring militant activity in remote areas and force protection. Being equipped with appropriate sensors these networks can enable detection of enemy movement, identification of enemy force and analysis of their movement and progress. The focus of this article is on the military requirements for flexible wireless sensor networks. Based on the main networking characteristics and military use-cases, insight into specific military requirements is given in order to facilitate the reader's understanding of the operation of these networks in the near to medium term (within the next three to eight years). The article structures the evolution of military sensor networking devices by identifying three generations of sensors along with their capabilities. Existing developer solutions are presented and an overview of some existing tailored products for the military environment is given. The article concludes with an analysis of outstanding engineering and scientific challenges in order to achieve fully flexible, security proved, ad hoc, self-organizing and scalable military sensor networks.