Book excerpt: Sensor networks continue to grow in importance for modern communication networks. The fruit of recent efforts aimed at miniaturization and highly advanced functionality, smart dust sensor networks offer powerful, cost-effective solutions to densely distributed, high-resolution applications. In chapters carefully selected from the popular Handbook of Sensor Networks, Smart Dust: Sensor Network Applications, Architecture, and Design supplies a sharply focused reference on the applications, design, and performance of smart dust that is ideal for specialists in the field. Providing a succinct survey of the principles and technologies associated with smart dust networks, this book focuses on eight main areas: applications; architecture; protocols; tracking technologies; data gathering and processing; energy management; security, reliability, and fault tolerance; and performance and design aspects. Following a look at the opportunities and challenges facing the field, expert contributors authoritatively cover sensor network management, miniaturizing sensor networks with MEMS, sensor network architecture, energy-efficient technologies, positioning and tracking, comparison of cooperative computing in sensor networks, dynamic power management, low-power design for smart dust networks, and more. Smart Dust: Sensor Network Applications, Architecture, and Design details the applications and technologies that are at the frontier of modern sensor networks. It is an ideal reference for anyone interested in designing, planning, or building emerging sensor and communications networks.