On Architecture of Low Power Wireless Sensor Networks for Container Tracking and Monitoring Applications

Almost 90% of the world trade is accomplished with the help of containers using different means of transportation including ships and trains. The container trade faces a lot of challenges comprising of container tracking, real time monitoring and intrusion detection, real time theft reporting mechanism, and status reporting of shipment items. While in principle the above functionality can be provided by state of the art industrial monitoring systems, it does not provide the advantages in flexibility and cost of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In combination with GSM and GPS/Galileo technologies, WSNs can result in a system capable of tracking and monitoring of containers in the real time. This paper discusses the problems faced by the container industry, how a wireless sensor network can help solving these problems, and the challenges ahead.