**2. Integrations and challenges**

The integration of the WSNs with the IoT opens the ajar door of applications in every aspect of life. We are aware that in WSNs, the sensor comes with limited capacity in terms of memory, processor, and power, whereas IoT is equipped with abundant resources. It is very much important that the merging of WSNs with the IoT has to be done in a way that they maintain their authentic functions while helping each other to enrich the application ranges [3]. There are certain issues with this integration that is discussed in the following section.

#### **2.1 Connectivity and infrastructure**

The first step for integration is the connection of WSNs with the internet. There are three different way by which WSNs is connected with the internet [4]. The first approach is the Front-end proxy solution, in which the base station works as the interface between the sensor nodes and the internet. The base station is the main controlling element that can gather the information from the sensor node or can send any control information to sensor nodes. The base station worked as an insulator between the sensor node and the internet. The Sensor node is completely autonomous that gives the privilege to implements its algorithms and protocol. As shown in the **Figure 6** it is the base station responsibility to map the data of sensor node to equivalent internet protocol and vice versa. Base station has the capability to handle data coming from the internet having TCP/IP compatibility as well as data coming from the sensor node having the format of special sensor network protocol. It also has the capability to communicate with MAC layer as well as IEEE 802.15.4 (wireless standard) [5].

The second approach is the gate-way solution, where a base station serves as the application layer gateway. Here the Base station commands the lower layers of the internet as well as the WSNs. In this approach, WSNs can maintain their individuality at a certain level but still, it is compulsory to create the table, which maps sensor node address to IP address. As we can see in **Figure 7** at base station, sensor data can maintain its individuality up to TCP/IP layer only. At above layer data will be treated as common one.

The third solution is the TCP-IP overlay solution, where the sensor node can directly communicate with the internet using TCP-IP protocol. The base station is worked as a router that connects the two networks. In this approach, the node must need to implement the algorithm and protocol used in the internets. It offers the holistic integration of the WSNs with the internet. It is very much clear form the **Figure 8** that, sensor node must have installed TCP/IP protocol. In this solution, up

**321**

reasons.

*Challenges of WSNs in IoT*

**Figure 7.** *Gateway solution.*

**Figure 8.**

*TCP/IP overlay solution.*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95352*

between WSNs data and IoT data.

full integration.

**2.2 Addressing**

to MAC layer the WSNs can maintain its uniqueness after that there is no difference

When we connect the sensor nodes to the internet it certainly enhances the application range and quality. But it is still not clear that up to which extent we need to allow that integration. If we keep the sensor node isolated from the internet that narrows down the capacity of IoT and WSNs. On the other hand, if we go for full integration it is quite difficult for the sensor node to handle the communication with limited resources. There are certain aspects that need to be answered for

In a front-end proxy solution, the base station needs to have the capability to enable interoperability between WSNs and the Internet. In the second case, the base station has to perform the task of an application layer gateway. It needs to be compatible with internet protocol as well as the WSNs protocol. In the third approach where the node can directly connect with the internet, means the sensor node needs to have direct IP addresses. It is indeed difficult to run standard internet protocol on to the sensor node having limited resources due to following

i. Deployment: In internet devices are consider as fixed entity. Their physical location remains unchanged throughout the operation. Network administrator is well aware about the topology which is normally remaining fixed. In WSNs the sensor node deployed in the random manner in sensing field. Moreover, in many applications mobile sensor nodes are used. It implies that topology of

sensor node are continuously changing.

**Figure 6.** *Front end proxy solution.*

*Challenges of WSNs in IoT DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95352*

*Wireless Sensor Networks - Design, Deployment and Applications*

integration that is discussed in the following section.

The integration of the WSNs with the IoT opens the ajar door of applications in every aspect of life. We are aware that in WSNs, the sensor comes with limited capacity in terms of memory, processor, and power, whereas IoT is equipped with abundant resources. It is very much important that the merging of WSNs with the IoT has to be done in a way that they maintain their authentic functions while helping each other to enrich the application ranges [3]. There are certain issues with this

The first step for integration is the connection of WSNs with the internet. There are three different way by which WSNs is connected with the internet [4]. The first approach is the Front-end proxy solution, in which the base station works as the interface between the sensor nodes and the internet. The base station is the main controlling element that can gather the information from the sensor node or can send any control information to sensor nodes. The base station worked as an insulator between the sensor node and the internet. The Sensor node is completely autonomous that gives the privilege to implements its algorithms and protocol. As shown in the **Figure 6** it is the base station responsibility to map the data of sensor node to equivalent internet protocol and vice versa. Base station has the capability to handle data coming from the internet having TCP/IP compatibility as well as data coming from the sensor node having the format of special sensor network protocol. It also has the capability to com-

municate with MAC layer as well as IEEE 802.15.4 (wireless standard) [5].

The second approach is the gate-way solution, where a base station serves as the application layer gateway. Here the Base station commands the lower layers of the internet as well as the WSNs. In this approach, WSNs can maintain their individuality at a certain level but still, it is compulsory to create the table, which maps sensor node address to IP address. As we can see in **Figure 7** at base station, sensor data can maintain its individuality up to TCP/IP layer only. At above layer data will be treated

The third solution is the TCP-IP overlay solution, where the sensor node can directly communicate with the internet using TCP-IP protocol. The base station is worked as a router that connects the two networks. In this approach, the node must need to implement the algorithm and protocol used in the internets. It offers the holistic integration of the WSNs with the internet. It is very much clear form the **Figure 8** that, sensor node must have installed TCP/IP protocol. In this solution, up

**2. Integrations and challenges**

**2.1 Connectivity and infrastructure**

**320**

**Figure 6.**

*Front end proxy solution.*

as common one.

**Figure 8.** *TCP/IP overlay solution.*

**Figure 7.**

to MAC layer the WSNs can maintain its uniqueness after that there is no difference between WSNs data and IoT data.

When we connect the sensor nodes to the internet it certainly enhances the application range and quality. But it is still not clear that up to which extent we need to allow that integration. If we keep the sensor node isolated from the internet that narrows down the capacity of IoT and WSNs. On the other hand, if we go for full integration it is quite difficult for the sensor node to handle the communication with limited resources. There are certain aspects that need to be answered for full integration.
