Integrating wireless sensor networks and cyber-physical systems: challenges and opportunities

The integration of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) with cyber-physical systems (CPSs) has led to the emergence of a new framework which aims to respond to the need for `smart everything' and to bring important benefits for the nation and indeed for society as a whole. The starting point in achieving this goal is represented by the thorough analysis of the research challenges posed by CPSs, whose inputs are provided by large numbers of wireless sensors grouped in sensor networks. The deployment of CPSs spanning multiple WSNs generates tremendous opportunities that justify research in this domain. Following this approach, this chapter presents the main characteristics, application areas and design issues of WSNs, and the definitions, main characteristics, application domains and two types of architecture for CPSs. Scientific and technical barriers, and social and institutional problems are identified and enumerated. Further, the chapter gives an overview of the following research challenges posed by WSNs and CPSs and by their symbiosis: power consumption, communication, dependability, security, quality of services and Big Data analytics, among others. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the research, development, financial and market opportunities brought by the response to the synergy between these two domains.