Modelling and Simulation Techniques for Highly Integrated, Low-Power Wireless Sensor Networks

The design of state-of-the-art low-power wireless sensor nodes involves the convergence of many technologies and disciplines. Submicron Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices, micro-electro-mechanical system filters, on- and off-chip electromagnetic elements, sensors and thin-film batteries are some of the technologies that will enable pervasive systems such as wireless sensor networks. High system complexity requires the use of many simulation environments during design: algorithm simulators, mechanical finite element analysis, behavioural and transistor-level circuit simulators, ElectroMagnetic (EM) simulators, thin-film battery simulators and network simulators.