Terminology » Networking Basics » WSN vs. Ad Hoc Networks: Key Differences Explained

WSN vs. Ad Hoc Networks: Key Differences Explained

wireless sensor ad hoc network network comparison sensor network wireless communication

This article compares Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Ad Hoc Networks, highlighting the distinctions between these two types of wireless networks.

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

WSN stands for Wireless Sensor Network. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

  • A WSN consists of a large number of sensor nodes, often referred to as “sensor motes.”
  • These motes are self-directed, low-powered devices.
  • Their primary function is to collect, process, and transmit data to users.
  • WSN nodes typically have limited computing and processing capabilities.
  • Energy efficiency is a crucial design consideration for WSNs.
  • WSNs often rely on some form of infrastructure and can contain hundreds or even thousands of nodes.

Ad Hoc Network

Unlike WSNs, Ad Hoc Networks don’t require pre-existing infrastructure and usually involve a smaller number of nodes.

The following table summarizes the features of Ad Hoc Networks and contrasts them with WSNs:

FeatureWireless Sensor NetworkAd Hoc Network
Number of sensor nodes/motesLarge in quantityMedium in quantity
Deployment typeVery denseScattered
Rate of failureMoreVery rare
Change in network topology frequencyRare-
Communication modeBroadcastPoint to point
BatteryNot replaceable / Not rechargeableReplaceable
Identifiers (IDs)No unique IDsUnique IDs
Centric modeBased on dataBased on address
Fusion/AggregationPossibleNot suitable
Computational capacities & memory requirementLimitedNot limited
Data rate supportLowerHigher
RedundancyHighLow