gateway. Nano-nodes perform simple calculation with restricted memory under
narrow transmission range. Nano-routers are able to perform larger computations
than nano-nodes and regulate the performance of nano-nodes by switching very easy
commands (on/off, read, sleep, value, etc.). But, nano-routers are more invasive due
to their larger size. Nano-micro interface are able to integrate the nano-router’s
information and send it in microscale and vice versa. Gateway device is capable of
controlling the nanosensor network remotely over the Internet. However, gateway
development and organizing and managing network structure over the Internet are
very challenging and under open research areas.
Challenges in Nanocommunication
Nanocommunication is a fast developing research area determined for the development of novel communication techniques to be used for nanodevices (Dressler and
Kargle 2012) in agriculture. There are several challenging issues in
nanocommunication that have to be addressed as the research moves forward such
as nanoantennas (length~100 nm) and nanotransceivers. The requirement of higher
frequency in nanoantennas, generally greater than 10 terahertz, can be overcome by
using graphene or carbon nanotubes to reduce the necessary frequency to 0.1 terahertz.
In addition, the quantum effects at nanoscale level need to be considered. There may
be two potential frequencies, namely, the megahertz and the terahertz band, which
work for networks of wireless nanosensor. In addition, communication for nanosensor
would be able to work over longer distances at lower frequencies. Though, the
generation of electromagnetic wave in a nanodevice through mechanical process is
not energy efficient at all, in contrast, higher-frequency waves can control thousands to
millions of nanosensors installed for a larger area. For that nanosensors should
essentially communicate in terahertz frequency (0.1–10.0 THz) which is a least probed
band of electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, developing the new channel models in the
terahertz frequency is primary research challenge for communication of nanosensor
device (Akyildiz Ian and Jornet 2010). Another challenge in nanocommunication
comprises nanotransceivers. The existing graphene transistors can only switch at
100 GHz, and the electronic noise restricts communication range. So it is very much
required to develop faster transistors in the range of 1–10 terahertz and formulation of
more accurate models of noise in graphene-based electronics (Dressler and Kargle
2012). The major challenge witnessed in design and analysis of the wireless
nanosensor networks is communication between nanodevices. Due to limited energy
supply in nanosensor device, energy harvesting and consumption are a big issue in
WNSN. Size of the network also affects the network efficiency, as the number of nanonodes varies with the size of network. These may have different behaviors of packet
loss ratio (PLR) and packet delay with various sizes of networks. To manage the size
of the network and other parameters of the network, efficient medium access control
(MAC) protocol and routing algorithm are required (Rupani et al. 2015).
324
P. Pramanik et al.
narrow transmission range. Nano-routers are able to perform larger computations
than nano-nodes and regulate the performance of nano-nodes by switching very easy
commands (on/off, read, sleep, value, etc.). But, nano-routers are more invasive due
to their larger size. Nano-micro interface are able to integrate the nano-router’s
information and send it in microscale and vice versa. Gateway device is capable of
controlling the nanosensor network remotely over the Internet. However, gateway
development and organizing and managing network structure over the Internet are
very challenging and under open research areas.
Challenges in Nanocommunication
Nanocommunication is a fast developing research area determined for the development of novel communication techniques to be used for nanodevices (Dressler and
Kargle 2012) in agriculture. There are several challenging issues in
nanocommunication that have to be addressed as the research moves forward such
as nanoantennas (length~100 nm) and nanotransceivers. The requirement of higher
frequency in nanoantennas, generally greater than 10 terahertz, can be overcome by
using graphene or carbon nanotubes to reduce the necessary frequency to 0.1 terahertz.
In addition, the quantum effects at nanoscale level need to be considered. There may
be two potential frequencies, namely, the megahertz and the terahertz band, which
work for networks of wireless nanosensor. In addition, communication for nanosensor
would be able to work over longer distances at lower frequencies. Though, the
generation of electromagnetic wave in a nanodevice through mechanical process is
not energy efficient at all, in contrast, higher-frequency waves can control thousands to
millions of nanosensors installed for a larger area. For that nanosensors should
essentially communicate in terahertz frequency (0.1–10.0 THz) which is a least probed
band of electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, developing the new channel models in the
terahertz frequency is primary research challenge for communication of nanosensor
device (Akyildiz Ian and Jornet 2010). Another challenge in nanocommunication
comprises nanotransceivers. The existing graphene transistors can only switch at
100 GHz, and the electronic noise restricts communication range. So it is very much
required to develop faster transistors in the range of 1–10 terahertz and formulation of
more accurate models of noise in graphene-based electronics (Dressler and Kargle
2012). The major challenge witnessed in design and analysis of the wireless
nanosensor networks is communication between nanodevices. Due to limited energy
supply in nanosensor device, energy harvesting and consumption are a big issue in
WNSN. Size of the network also affects the network efficiency, as the number of nanonodes varies with the size of network. These may have different behaviors of packet
loss ratio (PLR) and packet delay with various sizes of networks. To manage the size
of the network and other parameters of the network, efficient medium access control
(MAC) protocol and routing algorithm are required (Rupani et al. 2015).
324
P. Pramanik et al.