U.S. Wireless Sensing Networks: R&D and Commercialization Activities

Market Research Report

U.S. Wireless Sensing Networks:
R&D and Commercialization Activities

February 10, 2004 $1495.00
189 pages

Research Objectives
Sensors, interfaced with or embedded in communications networks, collect data about the physical world --about people, objects and their physical properties, and events. Wireless connectivity, in particular, makes it possible to locate sensors in many different environments, have the data collected centrally and then disseminated via the Internet or other wide area network. This Fuji-Keizai USA looks at the development and commercialization of sensors outfitted with wireless radios and used in applications across many industries. The main thrust of our report is to introduce the market's key players, from traditional market leaders to new entrepreneurial start-ups to top-tier R&D organizations.

Section 1: Market Landscape. Explains the factors driving development and demand for wireless sensor networks, and assesses current market segmentation and size.
Section 2: Technology Overview. Concisely explains the underlying enabling technologies--wireless LANs, PANs, WANs; microsystems; power management technologies; and standards.
Section 3: Industries and Applications. Presents select examples of wireless sensing applications in medicine, security, building control, home automation and transportation.
Section 4: U.S. Commercial Companies/Ventures. Profiles 31 companies active in the wireless sensor network marketplace, their products and target markets.
Section 5: R&D Activities and Alliances. Profiles 26 different R&D projects at universities or under study at joint commercial/academic research centers.
Section 6: Conclusions and Suggestions. Summarizes our key findings and highlights suggested opportunities for traditional network service providers.

Research Sources
Information in this report is largely culled from the literature of the commercial vendors and commercial/academic R&D organizations covered in Sections 4 and 5, respectively. Sources included public filings, annual reports, white papers, technical papers and presentations, and press releases of the featured companies. We also conducted telephone interview.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. MARKET LANDSCAPE
  1.1 Demand for Sensor Networks (factors driving development)
      The Wireless Effect
      Economic Drivers
      Technology Drivers
  1.2 Definitions of Sensors, Sensor Networks and Industry Market
      Industry Market Segments
  1.3 Relationship Between Sensor Networks and Other Technologies
  1.4 Market Environment Analysis
    A. Market Segmentation (i.e., types of sensors-temperature, chemical, etc.)
         Select Sensor Types
    B. Trends Affecting Market Landscape
          (e.g., new technologies and their time frames to be commercialized)
    C. Market Size (total sensor network market or by segment-depending
          on available data)
      U.S. Market (Sales) for Sensors, including Wireless Sensors
      U.S. Sensor Market (2002), by Segment
      U.S. Market for Wireless Monitoring & Control Equipment
       in Manufacturing
2. TECHNOLOGY (Overview)
  2.1 Wireless Network Technologies (WLAN, WPAN, WWAN)
      WLAN, WPAN and WWAN Standards
      Throughput and Range Comparison of WLAN vs. WPAN vs. WWAN
      Wireless LANs (802.11b)
      Ultrawideband (Low-Data-Rate UWB)
      Bluetooth and "Lite" Bluetooth
      IEEE 802.15.4 and ZigBee
      GPRS/GSM
  2.2 Wireless Sensor Network Architectures
      Star Networks
      Mesh Networks
      Hybrid Networks
  2.3 Microsystem Technologies
      RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Tags
      MEMS (Micro-electromechanical Systems)
      Smart Sensors and Smart Dust
      Robot Insects (MicroAirVehicles)
      NanoSensors
  2.4 Power-Efficiency Techniques
    A. Definition/description of power requirements
    B. Routing Protocols
            (that enable energy-efficient communication between low-cost devices)
    C. Other technologies/techniques to enable low-power operation
         Energy Management Technologies
  2.5 IEEE 1451 Standards
      2.5.1 Overview of the 1451 Working Groups
      2.5.2 IEEE P1451.4-"Plug and Play" Smart Sensors and Actuators
      2.5.3 IEEE P1415.5-Wireless Interface for Smart Sensors and Actuators

3. INDUSTRIES AND APPLICATIONS:
  APPLICATION CASE STUDIES FOR WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS
  3.1 Industry/Application Examples
    A. Medicine/Healthcare
    B. Diagnostic Medicine R&D (Cancer Detection, Genetics)
    C. Industrial
    D. Environmental Monitoring
    E. Security
    F. Logistics/Location-based
    G. Building Automation
      Commercial Buildings
      Home Automation
    H. Automotives/Transportation
4. U.S. COMMERCIAL COMPANIES/VENTURES
  Total 31 companies
5 R&D ACTIVITIES AND ALLIANCES:
  ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND CORPORATE RESEARCH
  AND DEVELOPMENT
  Total 26 organizations
6. CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
  6.1 Current Market Assessment
  6.2 Applications Are Limitless, But ...
  6.3 Proliferation of Wireless Standards Is a Good Thing
  6.4 Advances in Power Management Systems Will Be Boons
  6.5 Suggestions for Communications Network and Wireless Service Providers

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