Data persistence in sensor networks: towards optimal encoding for data recovery in partial network failures

Sensor networks consist of a number of sensors spread across a geographical area. Each sensor has communication capability and some level of intelligence for signal processing and networking of data. Each sensor node in the network routinely 'senses' and stores data from its immediate environment. An important requirement of the sensor network is that the collected data be disseminated to the proper end users. In some cases, there are fairly strict requirements on this communication. For example, the detection of an intruder in a surveillance network should be immediately communicated to the police authorities. Each sensor node also has some storage capacity to store the collected data or to assemble the data prior to communicating it to another node.