The Sensor Network Library simplifies the coding of Sensor Networks. Sensor Nodes may send sensor data to a Collector Node (via nRF24L01), which transmits to a CoAP Server (via ESP8266).
Generic Functions: Instead of referring to specific network interfaces like ESP8266 and nRF24L01,
we may now use call generic functions like init_server_post() and init_collector_post().
This also prevents complicated macros like
#if MYNEWT_VAL(ESP8266) && !MYNEWT_VAL(NRF24L01) ...
Network Drivers: The Sensor Network Library does not depend on ESP8266 and nRF24L01 drivers. Instead, the ESP8266 and nRF24L01 drivers register themselves as Network Interfaces to the Sensor Network Library. So the drivers may be easily replaced.
Address Allocation: The Sensor Network Library also allocates Collector Node Address and Sensor Node Address to the Collector and Sensor Nodes, based on the unique Hardware ID. This allows the same compiled firmware to run on multiple nodes, to simplify deployment.
Message Encoding: JSON encoding is automatically selected for CoAP Server messages. CBOR encoding is automatically selected for Collector Node messages.