A new innovation in sensing technologies is wireless sensors. These sensors are an extremely cost effective and efficient way to gather and monitor data in many applications. To get more information about wireless sensors, browse the information below.
Sensor Detects Ozone In Air, Water & Explosive Gases
In Freiburg, Germany, scientists have developed a highly sensitive, miniaturized mobile Ozone sensor. This sensor can be used not only in air, but also in water and in the vicinity of explosive gases.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and can cause a wide range of symptoms in humans, including lacrimation, irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, and bronchial tubes, headaches, coughing and even deterioration in lung function.
The main sources of ozone pollution are industrial and transport emissions. Particularly in warmer weather, these react with intensive UV radiation to form ground-level ozone.
But laser printers and copiers, machines so prevalent in modern-day offices, can also emit ozone.
The European Commission has announced its intention to cut the guideline value for ozone in the air from the current level of 90 parts per billion to 60 parts per billion by 2010, and when this new regulation comes into force, there will be an increased demand for inexpensive ozone sensors.
But, according to project manager Dr. Volker Cimalla of the IAF, “Since ozone is, at the same time, an agent with high application potential, novel sensors are required, which have to be compact and affordable.”
Sensors are essential equipment in industrial settings such as wastewater treatment facilities and water sterilization units, where they are used to monitor the ozone concentration – firstly to ensure the required concentration for the relevant application is maintained, and secondly to guard against exceeding hazardous thresholds for humans.
According to Project manager Cimalla, “The ozone sensors currently available on the market employ extremely laborious and complex measuring procedures such as UV absorption and are therefore very expensive.”
“By contrast, the more affordable ozone sensors have to be heated up to 300 degrees Celsius and produce inaccurate readings or only work in limited areas of application,” he said.
“We’ve done away with the need for heating by instead applying blue/violet light radiation to trigger the chemical process necessary for regeneration on the sensor surface. This allows the sensors to operate at room temperature,” he added.
The scientists built on the existing knowledge that molecules absorbed on the surface of a sensing layer alter its electrical resistance – and can also be removed again by light irradiation.
The result is a highly-sensitive, miniaturized sensor capable of measuring the low ozone levels that occur in environmental and ambient air monitoring just as accurately as the high levels associated with industrial process control.
Since the sensor is extremely small, it can even be integrated into mobile equipment.
Multi-Touch ‘Resistive’ Touchscreen Controller Chip
As the latest high-tech devices such as smartphones, mobile internet devices and netbooks adopt multi-touch touchscreens to support increasingly sophisticated ‘apps’ and games,STMicroelectronics has introduced a multi-touch ‘resistive’ touchscreen controller chip to optimize the Bill of Materials of the electronics supporting this advanced capability. The STM32TS60 is the first member of ST’s new STMTouch family, which offers a broad portfolio of solutions including multi-touch devices and proximity and touch-key sensors.
The new multi-touch controller detects up to ten simultaneous touches with fingers, nails or stylus, enabling application designers to replace complex menu sequences with more direct and natural user controls. Actions made easier with multi-touch capabilities include browsing and selecting options, handwriting and data entry, arranging and sizing windows, picking up and dragging images, and fast and intuitive game play. Other abilities include drawing pictures, using touch pressure to adjust line thickness.
Employing resistive touch-panel technology, the STM32TS60 controller offers customers a real alternative and complements the recent industry trend for using capacitive touch technology. Resistive technology is a cost effective and mature high-volume solution that has seen dramatically improved performance over the past few years in terms of durability and display transparency. In addition, it easily overcomes EMI (electromagnetic interference) noise issues, which can be an inherent limitation with alternative touch technologies. Resistive technology is already widely used in PDAs and similar touch-enabled devices and the screens are readily available in standard LCD sizes and at competitive prices.
The new chip combines the company’s STM32 microcontroller architecture with PMatrixTM Multi-Touch technology from ST‘s partner Stantum to achieve fast response times while minimizing system complexity and component count.
The STM32TS60 single-core microcontroller is an added-value solution compared to other expensive multi-core processor or digital signal processors (DSPs) requiring specialized programming expertise.
The STM32TS60’s high EMI immunity makes it suitable for use in multi-function wireless products such as cellphones, notebook PCs, netbooks and mobile Internet devices. Moreover, its low power consumption helps to maximize operating times and recharge intervals, and is a direct benefit of the STM32’s energy-saving design features and ARM® Cortex™-M3 processor conceived for power-sensitive embedded applications. In addition, very-low-power idle mode with ‘wake-up on touch only’ helps further extend mobile battery life.
The STM32TS60 is housed in a 7 x 7mm 144-pin UFBGA package, and is now sampling to lead customers. Volume production is expected for Q2 2010.
Wireless Sensor Network Platform has Graphical Programming
National Instruments (UK) has announced the NI wireless sensor network (WSN) platform, a complete remote monitoring solution that consists of NI LabVIEW graphical programming software and new reliable, low-power wireless measurement nodes. The adoption of wireless technology for remote monitoring applications is growing, yet engineers and scientists struggle to find an integrated solution that can provide the
required measurement quality, power management and reliable hardware for longterm, remote deployments. The NI WSN platform takes advantage of more than 30 years of NI data acquisition system leadership to deliver an easy-to-use solution that provides high-quality measurement data, the flexibility to manage power consumption and the ability to customise wireless hardware for added functionality. A key differentiator of the platform is LabVIEW software, which integrates seamlessly with the new battery powered, industrial-rated NI WSN measurement nodes that can be deployed in rugged conditions for long periods of time.
Engineers and scientists worldwide are adopting wireless technology to meet distributed and portable measurement applications challenges, such as structural health and environmental monitoring, where wiring is
difficult or cost-prohibitive. With the flexibility of LabVIEW, the NI WSN platform simplifies and accelerates the development of these applications by delivering a drag-and-drop programming environment for configuring
wireless systems, extracting measurements, performing analysis and presenting data. LabVIEW also offers native Web connectivity for remote interaction with wireless systems.
NASA Develops Chemical Sensor for iPhone
Jing Li, a physical scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., along with other researchers working under the Cell-All program in the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, developed a proof of concept of new technology that would bring compact, low-cost, low-power, high-speed nanosensor-based chemical sensing capabilities to cell phones.
The device Li developed is about the size of a postage stamp and is designed to be plugged in to an iPhone to collect, process and transmit sensor data. The new device is able to detect and identify low concentrations of airborne ammonia, chlorine gas and methane. The device senses chemicals in the air using a “sample jet” and a multiple-channel silicon-based sensing chip, which consists of 16 nanosensors, and sends detection data to another phone or a computer via telephone communication network or Wi-Fi.
MicroStrain, Inc. Awarded US Army SBIR Phase I Contract
November 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under Industry News, Wireless
Williston, VT – The US Army recently awarded MicroStrain, Inc. a Phase I SBIR contract to develop an active radio frequency identification embedded usage tracking system for helicopter rotating components.
The objective of the SBIR is to develop a comprehensive and networked health management capability that can be embedded directly into rotorcraft components. The project will support the development and demonstration of tiny, wireless energy harvesting radio frequency identification (EH-RFID™) nodes that provide part identification, performance monitoring, on-board storage of component usage history, and remaining useful life.
Energy harvesting combined with advanced wireless sensors represents a breakthrough technology that enables truly autonomous monitoring, reporting, and alerting. The new EH-RFID™ nodes to be developed under this Army SBIR will be compatible with MicroStrain’s new wireless sensor data aggregators (WSDA™), which synch wireless sensor networks and provide a remote portal to a secure server. WSDA™ devices feature an open architecture interface for integration with existing health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), and stand-alone operation modes for data collection on aircraft without HUMS. WSDAs™ can also be programmed to send e-mail and SMS text message alerts if a potentially damaging event is detected.
“One of the unique aspects of this Phase I SBIR is that the EH-RFID™ sensor nodes consume very little energy, facilitating continuous operation using highly miniaturized energy harvesters. Our wireless, battery free RFIDs will break down the barriers to deploying widely distributed wireless sensor networks. Once embedded, these tiny sensors will reduce maintenance costs, increase mission readiness, and enhance safety”, said Steve Arms, President of MicroStrain.
MicroStrain
www.microstrain.com
MicroStrain® Wins Silver and Gold at Sensors Expo
Williston, VT – MicroStrain won two more “Best of Sensors Expo” awards at Sensors Expo in Rosemont, IL. These Gold and Silver awards bring MicroStrain’s total to ten Gold awards and two Silver awards, accumulated over the last eight years.
Steve Arms, President of MicroStrain (right) and Mike Robinson, VP Sales and Marketing accept awards
This year’s gold award was for HS-Link™ three channel High Speed Wireless Node with sample rates up to 100 kHz on all three channels. During user definable sampling sessions, HS-LINK™ stores bursts of data in a buffer; once sampling is complete data are then transferred to non-volatile flash memory. Each sensor channel has a dedicated 16 bit analog to digital converter (A/D) enabling the three distinct sensor inputs to be sampled simultaneously. HS-LINK™ also features a precision timekeeper, which can receive a high priority timing beacon, which enables multiple HS-Links™ in a star network to achieve a node-to-node data sampling synchronization of ±4 microseconds.
The silver award was for 3DM-GX3™-25, Miniature Attitude Heading Reference System. 3DM-GX3™-25 is amongst the smallest and lightest AHRS on the market today, with versions weighing as little as 11.5 grams. Improved performance in the face of ambient vibrations and oscillations is achieved by oversampling at 30 KHz and then digitally filtering and performing coning and sculling integrals at 1 kHz. Oversampling also greatly improves the resolution of the sensor readings. User adjustable output rates of up to 1000 Hz make the 3DM-GX3™-25 AHRS one of the fastest attitude heading reference systems available today. Each 3DM-GX3™-25 is individually calibrated to compensate for gyro g-sensitivity and sensor misalignment and includes routines for hard and soft iron field calibrations. Full temperature compensation ensures performance over a wide operating temperature range.
MicroStrain
www.microstrain.com
US Navy Awards MicroStrain a Phase I SBIR Contract
Williston, VT – The US Navy (NAVAIR) recently awarded MicroStrain, Inc. a Phase I SBIR contract worth $80,000 to develop a wireless system to measure buffet loads on the control surfaces of in-service aircraft. The data obtained will be used for structural life tracking of individual aircraft.
Structural monitoring of Navy aircraft is of critical importance as the fleet ages. The highly transient nature of buffet loading on control surfaces makes it difficult to measure using conventional sensors.
“We will solve this problem by combining a network of time-synchronized wireless sensors with integrated microelectronics for static and dynamic loads sensing, data recording, communications, and energy harvesting. Our proposed sensors possess major advantages, including: sealed stainless steel packaging, full calibration prior to installation, rapid installation, and locations which enable a full computation of control surface forces and moments”, said Steve Arms, President of MicroStrain.
MicroStrain
www.microstrain.com
Sensors for Biomechanics
MicroStrain® is committed to innovation in the field of microminiature sensors.
Sensors are literally changing our world and the introduction of advanced sensing technology, combined with wireless networks and self-powering devices, opens the way for the next generation of smarter and safer machines, civil structures, and implanted devices.
The following image gives an example of the types of innovation we have brought to the biomechanics industry:
Our award winning product line continues to be adapted to meet new applications and to solve customer problems. The uses of sensors are limited only by the imagination and our team of experienced engineers work closely with clients to offer sensor solutions in many industry segments.
MicroStrain
www.MicroStrain.com
MicroStrain Receives Third Frost & Sullivan Award
May 6, 2009 by admin
Filed under Inclinometer, Industry News, Wireless
Williston, VT – Frost & Sullivan has awarded MicroStrain® the 2009 North American Business Development Strategy Leadership of the Year Award in the sensors market in recognition of the company’s ability to grow at 40 percent per year over the last five years.
The Award recognizes the company’s ability to perceive consumer needs, develop products and services that meet consumer needs, successfully introduce products or services to the industry, and identify new market segments to expand the existing customer base. Through a combination of vision, technology, and successful marketing, the Award recipient has demonstrated superior market growth skills.
“MicroStrain attributes its success to its customers, its drive to understand customers’ needs and to innovative employees who translate these needs into products,” said Steve Arms, President of MicroStrain. The company has won nine “Best of Sensors Expo” Gold awards and two previous Frost & Sullivan awards for innovation.
MicroStrain has consistently secured government funding to develop state-of-the-art technology and has quickly transitioned these innovations into their standard products.
Frost & Sullivan’s independent report FY2009 concluded with the following:
“MicroStrain’s success in its business development strategy is illustrated by its new 19,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art technology for its employees, to support its growing customer base, increasing demand, rapid growth and research and development. Research indicates that MicroStrain’s strategy has been and will always be to work with its customers to introduce the latest in advancd sensing technology. For its ability to execute an innovative business development strategy within the existing competitive landscape empowering the company to grow despite the current economic turmoil, to base product innovations and growth strategy exclusively on customer needs, Frost & Sullivan is once again proud to present the 2009 North American Business Development Strategy Leadership of the Year Award to MicroStrain in the sensors market,” stated Frost & Sullivan’s industry analyst, V. Sankaranarayanan.
The Frost & Sullivan Award for Business Development Strategy Leadership is presented each year to the company that has demonstrated excellence in business development within the industry. Analysts at Frost & Sullivan monitor major participants in industry and conduct interviews with the companies, customers and suppliers, and carry out extensive technology and secondary research to determine which company should receive the award.
MicroStrain
www.microstrain.com
MicroStrain Awarded Phase II SBIR Contract by US Navy
Williston, VT – The US Navy (NAVAIR) has recently awarded MicroStrain, Inc. a Phase II SBIR contract to further develop a suite of miniature vibro-mechanical energy harvesters for powering wireless sensors on Navy aircraft.
Recent developments in combining sensors, microprocessors, and radio frequency (RF) communications holds the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor and maintain critical systems [1]. In the future, literally billions of wireless sensors could be deeply embedded within machines, structures, and the environment. Sensed information would be automatically collected, compressed, and forwarded for condition based maintenance.
The U.S. Navy’s long term vision is to deploy distributed wireless sensor networks along with RFIDs to provide a wealth of usage information about an entire aircraft structure. As the fleet ages, there’s an increasing need for embedded wireless strain sensors capable of detecting and tracking accumulated strains “precursors” to crack initiation [2].
But wireless sensors need energy to operate, and battery maintenance, economic battery replacement, and safe battery disposal all remain major barriers. MicroStrain’s miniature energy harvesters break down these barriers by efficiently converting a machine’s vibrations into power. This will enable the next generation of wireless sensor networks to provide continuous health monitoring of our critical structures, such as aircraft and bridges, without requiring batteries.
During Phase I, MicroStrain’s engineers designed, built, and tested novel miniature energy harvesters that scavenged ambient vibrations from a helicopter gearbox. Continuous power output from a four cubic centimeter, 40 gram energy harvester was 40 milliwatts – enough to power MicroStrain’s high sample rate wireless sensor node, which records strain and vibration data continuously at rates of up to 50,000 samples per second. The Phase II effort will support further development of these systems in preparation for flight tests.
“We’re excited to be selected by the Navy to advance our vibration energy harvesting systems. This new round of SBIR funding complements our current developments in advanced, wireless structural health monitoring systems for rotary and fixed wing aircraft”, said Steven Arms, President of MicroStrain.
The Navy SBIR Phase II award will provide up to ~$917K over a two year period. The Federal SBIR program is highly competitive, and funds only those small businesses innovations with significant commercial potential. More information on the Navy’s SBIR program is available on-line at www.navysbir.com.
References:
[1] The Economist, “When Everything Connects”, Special Report on Telecoms, April 28th-May 4th 2007, pages 3-18
[2] Maley, S., Plets, J., Phan, N.: “US Navy Roadmap to Structural Health and Usage Monitoring – The Present and Future”, Proc. American Helicopter Society 63rd Annual Forum, Virginia Beach, VA, May 1-3, 2007, CONF 63; VOL 2, pages 1456-1467, ISSN 0733-4249
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