Email: Where's the top down view of wireless sensor networks?

With regard to ESC: Panel to debate wireless sensor networks

I'm fascinated by wireless sensor networks and I believe they are the next revolution after the internet.

Based on the fact that most current sensor networks are not mature, I just have a general question: what is the overall blueprint for sensor networks?

We can discuss all of the details of power consumption, RF interference, cost, performance, but I believe there should be a top-down effort rather than a bottom-up effort. Different applications have different requirements and if we don't have a big picture from the top it is not meaningful to discuss the details.

I also believe this should be a coordinated effort involving nanotechnology, biotechnology, new energy such as solar panel, DSP, networking, power management, etc. Applications can be divided by industries and then probably a roadmap should first be rolled out.

Xiaoyauan Qi
Engineer
San Antonio
Texas