<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:MICAz.jpg|thumb|200px|MicaZ Commerical Sensor node from CrossBow Technologies]] -->Although [[Wireless powerline sensor|wireless sensor nodes]] have existed for decades and used for applications as diverse as earthquake measurements to warfare, the modern development of small sensor nodes dates back to the 1998 [[Smartdust]] project<ref>[http://robotics.eecs.berkeley.edu/~pister/SmartDust/ Smart Dust<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and the NASA [[Sensor Web]]s <ref>[http://www.techbriefs.com/content/view/2227/32/ NASA Tech Brief]</ref> One of the objectives of the Smartdust project was to create autonomous sensing and communication within a cubic millimeter of space. Though this project ended early on, it led to many more research projects. They include major research centres in Berkeley NEST<ref>[http://webs.cs.berkeley.edu/ Home<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011110031435/http://webs.cs.berkeley.edu/ |date=2001-11-10 }}</ref> and CENS.<ref>[http://research.cens.ucla.edu/ CENS: Center for Embedded Networked Sensing<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090407035705/http://research.cens.ucla.edu/ |date=2009-04-07 }}</ref> The researchers involved in these projects coined the term ''mote'' to refer to a sensor node. The equivalent term in the NASA Sensor Webs Project for a physical sensor node is ''pod'', although the sensor node in a Sensor Web can be another Sensor Web itself. Physical sensor nodes have been able to increase their capability in conjunction with [[Moore's Law]]. The chip footprint contains more complex and lower powered [[microcontrollers]]. Thus, for the same node footprint, more silicon capability can be packed into it. Nowadays, motes focus on providing the longest wireless range (dozens of km), the lowest energy consumption (a few uA) and the easiest development process for the user.<ref>[http://www.sensor-networks.org/index.php?page=0932832814 "Waspmote: a modern mote"]</ref>
