What is a wireless sensor network (WSN)?

A wireless sensor network (WSN) refers to a system composed of multiple sensors distributed over a geographical area that collaborate to monitor, collect, and transmit data about physical conditions, such as temperature, humidity, pressure, light, and more. These networks are designed for various applications, including environmental monitoring, industrial automation, smart cities, and healthcare.

The primary function of WSNs is to gather data from the surrounding environment and relay that data to a central system for analysis and decision-making. This makes option B the most accurate description of a WSN.

In contrast, other choices focus on different types of networks or applications. For instance, the first option speaks about connecting mobile devices over long distances, which does not capture the essence of what WSNs focus on—data collection through sensors. The third option, regarding streaming video content, pertains to media transmission rather than environmental data capture. The fourth option is too narrow, as WSNs can be utilized in a wide variety of contexts, not just smart home devices. Thus, the essence of a WSN lies in its role in collecting and transmitting data about physical conditions, highlighting why the second choice is the correct definition.