Mahapatra, R.K.Kaliyath, Y.Shet, N.S.V.Mahapatro, S.R.Satapathi, G.S.Prusty, S.B.Patro, B.S.2026-02-042024International Journal of Communication Networks and Distributed Systems, 2024, 30, 2, pp. 136-20117543916https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCNDS.2024.137085https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/21444Proliferation of the wireless sensor network is due to the advancement in wireless networks, information technologies, miniaturisation of sensors as well as convergence of MEMS technology, wireless communication and digital electronics. These wireless networks interface the physical world to the computing (virtual) world. In recent years, the availability of smaller, cheaper and intelligent sensors on a large scale has motivated the deployment of sensors in various applications such as smart city, smart home, smart grid, automated vehicles, etc. The sensor plays an important role in internet of things. This survey reports current research activities, applications, characteristics, architecture and case study of WSNs. In addition to this open research issues/problems are discussed. The aim is to present a comprehensive study of the literature on several aspects of wireless sensor network such as application and architecture. © 2024 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.AutomationNetwork architectureDigital electronicsLocalisationLocalization.MEMS technologyMiniaturisationNetwork information technologyWireless communicationsWireless network interfacesWireless sensor network applicationsWSNWireless sensor networks