The design and implementation of a wireless smart sensor
platform targeted for instrumentation systems and predictive
maintenance was discussed and presented. Tests were carried
out to determine system performance for both the
instrumentation and maintenance applications, and as the
results suggest were quite satisfactory. The experimental
results show that a sustained near-real-time system can be set
up with the smart sensor nodes, and the versatility of the
smart sensor interface allows implementing diverse
applications.
Future work for the smart sensor platform entails
development of multi-hop networking capability among the
heterogeneous-radio-equipped smart sensor nodes. A
hierarchical network with gateway nodes, network
aggregators and end-sensor-nodes is envisaged [20].
Zigbee with its excellent low-power capability provides
an excellent alternative for Bluetooth and RFID in terms of
power and performance. Support for Zigbee is currently
being added and will be reported separately.
Store-and-forward applications like cold-chain
monitoring require a long-distance wireless link with network
coverage over its entire operation area. GPRS with its widearea/long-range
connectivity and reasonable bandwidth, thus,
forms a suitable candidate. Support for GPRS is also being
added and will be reported separately.