Sprouts is a WSN platform with a versatile system architecture designed with modular PnP features throughout
its hardware and software layers. The platform was designed to address important key features essential for
applications enabling the Internet of Things (IoT). Sprouts emphasizes small physical dimensions, rugged
packaging, ultra low power, modularity, PnP operation, energy harvesting, and remote triggering, which are all
important features for industrial use. The hardware architecture is designed with modular and interchangeable layers
as seen in Figure 3. Sprouts hardware architecture layers and features are described as follows:
1) Magnetic Layer: Sprouts utilizes a strong disc magnet (neodymium 20x2mm) to easily attach the platform on
metallic surfaces. This allows for easy deployment in industrial environments.
2) Sensor layer: The sensor layer provides access to our standard PnP protocol. There are four communication
ports to attach external modules. This allows for easy PnP customization of the platform per applications