Industrial wireless local area networks with smart sensor nodes

Abstract

The article deals with the present state in the development of wireless sensor networks - (nodes), trends and new challenges in this interesting area. The highest priority of this smart instrumentation is the best operating ability of sensor nodes with suitable protocol communication (for instance Zig Bee). New types of smart sensor nodes with wireless connection bring some advantages and also disadvantages. There are problems with communication protocols, interaction between different nodes, and the main problem is the power supply of the sensor instrumentation nodes. The present applications have the principle of homogenous nets and they include for instance smart sensors of temperature, moisture, pressure, water quality etc. Some experience with wireless sensors, Bluetooth and Zig Bee nodes on communication with PIC microcomputer will be presented; interesting possibilities of further development will be shown. The problem is investigated in the framework of the grant project Czech Science Foundation GAČR 101/07/1345.