How long do the batteries last in a mote?
Mote battery life is a one of the most critical parameters for a wireless sensor network and is closely related to how often a mote performs an RF transmission. Currently, motes broadcasting their data every 3 minutes can run for up to 1 year on normal AA batteries. The battery life can be extended significantly with larger batteries or by modifying the transmission rate (i.e. only send data above certain thresholds, etc.). An area of tremendous research, mote battery life is expected to be extended significantly over the next few years. Additionally, wireless sensor network software, such as OCTAVEX, can help extend battery life by allowing users to selectively adjust transmission rates.
