Linear sensor networks: Applications, issues and major research trends

The recent advancements in the field of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) make the sensors smaller, cheaper and more energy efficient. These innovations made it attractive to use sensor networks in new applications like Border monitoring, Railway track monitoring, Oil and Gas pipeline monitoring etc. In the above mentioned applications, a common characteristic is their linear topology. Since last few years, a new subclass of sensor networks known as linear sensor networks (LSN) is emerging as a major focus area of research. Due to the special topology of LSNs, the issues and solutions required for LSNs are significantly different from ordinary sensor network. In the present exposition, the applications of LSN, major issues related to LSN, and the major research trends in this area have been summarized.