Typical Sensors needed in Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing

Abstract

This paper presents a survey of sensors for the use in networked embedded sensing devices. The most typical sensors needed for applications in Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing are identified through a survey of 12 typical existing and implemented applications using over 300 wireless sensor nodes. In total, about 45 different types of objects with embedded networked sensor nodes build the basis for the analysis. We identified 7 general types of sensors - namely movement, light, force, temperature, audio, humidity and proximity - that are commonly used in all these settings and subsequently listed typical context information that can be derived from them. Based on the analysis the paper also introduces an exemplary platform, the Particle Sensor Board, where such sensors are implemented and presents an overview of their characteristics.