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.

Send Critical Health Sensing Data to Your Mobile Phone

Imec and Holst Centre, together with TASS software professionals have developed a mobile heart monitoring system that allows electrocardiogram data to be displayed on an Android mobile phone. Wireless sensor nodes that continuously monitor physical and vital parameters comprise a Body Area Networks (BAN).  Getting the processed sensor data in such health measurements as cardiac performance (ECG), brain activity (EEG), muscle activity (EMG), and more requires a low-power interface that transmits signals from a wireless ECG (electrocardiogram or heart monitoring)-sensor system to the mobile phone.

The newly-developed low-power interface wirelessly transmits bio-signals retrieved by imec and Holst Centre’s Human++ BAN sensor nodes to an Android mobile phone where the data are collected, stored, processed, and sent over the internet to make them available for authorized users such as a physician. The interface is based on a standard Secure Digital Input Output (SDIO) interface on Android mobile phones to avoid disclosing personal heath data. Additional available sensor data includes GPS to track user location.

For more information about the mobile heart monitoring system, click here.

To see a video of the system in action, click here.

MicroStrain’s Wireless Sensor Products now Integrate with National Instruments’ LabVIEW

MicroStrain’s G-Link and SG-Link sensor products now easily integrate with National Instruments’ LabVIEW graphical system design software. The seamlessly connectivity to LabVIEW facilitates data acquisition, graphical display, analysis and data storage for MicroStrain’s wireless acceleration and strain systems.  

For a link to the LabVIEW driver for G-Link click here and for SG-Link click here

Balluff’s IO-Link–based RFID Connects Easily to Networks

Balluff’s IO-Link protocol allows users to connect an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system to an industrial network via a gateway using standard discrete sensor wiring. Instead of using barcode systems that have high installation costs because of shielded RS232 cables and RS232 communication and an I/O enclosure, the IO-Link-based RFID easily connects with a single IO-Link Expansion Module and four 3-conductor, non-shielded cordsets. The IO-Link block treats the RFID data like a standard I/O point. Running multiple RFID readers from a single I/O block using standard, 3-conductor sensor cables can provide a typical savings of 12% per ID point

For more information about Balluff’s RFID products for IO-Link, click here.

Customized Wireless Sensing & Training Courses offered by Libelium

Libelium, maker of the Waspmote wireless sensing is offering a couple of sensing design opportunities to potential customers. First off all, they will integrate a custom sensor with their Waspmote wireless sensing capability for a specific Wireless Sensing network (WSN) application. Waspmote is a low power wireless mesh network that uses ZigBee or wireless technologies.

 Libelium is also offering its First International Training Course on the Waspmote platform. The course will be held on the 23th, 24th and 25th of November in the Libelium headquarters in Zaragoza, Spain.

For more information on Libelium customized wireless sensing hardware design, click here.  For WaspMote training course info, click here.

RF-Enabled Sensing Benefits from ProximaRF Kit

ProximaRF, a company that specializes in high frequency (13.56 MHz) RFID has developed an RFID–enabled sensor kit that provides users access to Melexis MLX90129 RFID sensor transponder IC.

Using the ProximaRF DVK90129 reader and evaluation kit, developers can immediately read and write code to the RFID IC using a plug and play USB high frequency reader without any additional design requirements. In addition to the USB desktop HF RF reader, the kit includes an XML-based API to simplify sensor interface, ready-to-use dashboard demo tools and the RFID-enabled sensor evaluation board with thermometer, light sensor and potentiometer.

For more information about ProximaRF DVK90129 RFID Sensor Kit, click here.

Sensors Expo 2010 Exhibitors: ProximaRF Technology Corp.

If you missed Sensors Expo or did not get a chance to check out all the exhibits, here is another of the interesting booths that I visited. Terry Rachwalski from ProximaRF Technology Corp. demonstrates a high frequency RFID tag and reader including the use of energy harvesting from the RFID reader. To see the video, click the arrow link below.

For more information about ProximaRF RFID products & services including starter kits, click here.

Ease Temperature Concerns: We’ll Call You

Adding to its USB, and Wi-Fi editions, Temperature@lert Cellular Edition monitors the ambient temperature in a server room or other critical area and alerts the user via email, telephone and text message when the temperature rises or falls outside of an acceptable range. The pre-calibrated digital temperature sensor is accurate to within ±0.5°C with a range of -40°F to +200°F. Plugging the Temperature@lert Cellular Edition into a power outlet initiates transmission of temperature readings over the AT&T and T-Mobile cellular phone networks to the company’s 24/7 monitoring system and dashboard website.

For more information on Temperature@lert Cellular Edition go to: http://www.temperaturealert.com/Remote-Temperature/Temperature-Alert-Cellular-Sensor.aspx

Wireless Position Sensor

Honeywell Sensing and Control now offers the XYR6000 Wireless Position Sensor that works with its OneWireless™ systems. Operating at 2.4 GHz Discrete Sequential Spread Spectrum (DSSS),  the unit has a data rate of 250 Kbps and nominal signal range of 305m (1000ft.) between Field Sensor and Infrastructure unit. The analog output has an accuracy of +/- 5% over 250° when centered between slip clutch. The unit requires a maximum operating torque of 0.50 nM (0.369 lb-ft) and has an overtravel of 90° max. Calibration is performed electronically by setting values for start point and range. The unit requires two C Cell Lithium (3.6V Li-SOCl2) non-rechargeable batteries.

In addition to monitoring valve position status, the wireless sensor can also be used for manual process valve position, safety shower and eye bath notification, tank overflow alarms, , gate/door position, and other applications.

For more information on the XYR6000 Wireless Position Sensor go to: http://sensing.honeywell.com/index.cfm/ci_id/157437/la_id/1.htm

16-Bit Sensor Signal Combines Accuracy & Precision For Linearization & Calibration Functions

ZMD AG introduced a class-leading 16-bit sensor signal conditioning IC (SSC). Developed for resistive bridge sensors, the ZSSC3017 combines high accuracy amplification, 16-bit precision analog-to-digital conversion, and an 18-bit DSP for linearization and calibration functions. The highly integrated CMOS device offers performance accurate enough for altimeter/barometer systems, data merging with GPS receivers, medical gas and infusion pumps, and robotics.

The 16-bit precision and on-chip DSP-based linearization make the ZSSC3017 accurate enough for demanding applications such as portable altimeter and barometer systems and weather forecasting equipment. In heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, its precision permits accurate sensing of airflow within buildings, allowing better and more energy-efficient building heating and cooling. New types of consumer items, such as motion sensing sport equipment or multi-function watches also benefit from the ZSSC3017’s precision. In medical products, medical gas control, medical infusion pumps, ambulatory non-invasive pump systems, and occlusion detection systems all require this level of precision.

“We developed the ZSSC3017 based on our proven 12- and 14-bit sensor signal conditioners to enable our customers to increase the resolution and accuracy of their products,” stated Dr. Marko Mailand, project manager at ZMDI. “Intelligent power management capabilities by respective operation modes support the design of energy efficient applications.”

Technical Features

The conversion characteristics of resistive sensor bridges are generally non-linear and temperature-dependent. Sophisticated signal processing for amplification, linearization and compensation of the effects of the temperature is required. To deliver the highest possible accuracy, the ZSSC3017 features an analog front-end with multiple flexible programming options, including an on-chip temperature sensor and fully differential signal paths. The IC topology uses a second-order charge-balancing ADC leading to less than ±0.5% (FSO) accuracy error over the full industrial temperature range of -40 to +85°C.

A fully programmable differential gain amplifier optimally works with sensor signal ranges from 12.5-160mV/V. The device can be adapted to different sensor signal range centres and features an internal auto-compensated temperature sensor. An on-chip 18-bit DSP implements the calibration math and sophisticated second-order error correction for temperature offset, drift, and non-linearity. All calibration data is stored in on-chip EEPROM, and the system can be re-calibrated in the field. Performing all of the error correction in the ZSSC3017 allows the device to deliver a fully-corrected digital output signal, which simplifies designing the rest of the system and minimizes the bill of materials as well as system power consumption.

ZMDI’s unique one-shot calibration concept minimizes calibration costs. Calibration is accomplished easily with a PC-based program using a two-wire, I2C-based interface, and can be done at high speed in production. No external trimming components are required, which reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing costs. ZMDI’s development kit makes it simple to implement calibration routines.

The ZSSC3017 operates on supply voltages from 2.7 to 5.5 volts and over a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. Accuracy is ±0.50% FSO over the full temperature range. Noise performance of far less than 1.5µV (rms, input-referred) is possible. Power consumption during sleep mode is below 2 µA at 25°C. The layout of the ZSSC3017 is customized for die bonding with a sensor.

www.zmdi.com

“Smart” Contact Lens Promises To Detect Glaucoma Earlier

STMicroelectronics will develop and supply a wireless MEMS sensor that acts as a transducer, antenna and mechanical support for additional read-out electronics in a breakthrough platform developed by Swiss company Sensimed AG. This solution will enable better management of glaucoma patients via earlier diagnosis and treatment that is optimally tailored to the individual patient.

Known as the SENSIMED Triggerfish®, the solution is based on a “smart” contact lens that uses a tiny embedded strain gauge to monitor the curvature of the eye over a period of, typically, 24 hours, providing valuable disease management data that is not currently obtainable using conventional ophthalmic equipment.

Glaucoma(3), the second most common cause of blindness around the world, is an irreversible progressive disease of the optic nerve that can eventually lead to blindness.  Although it cannot be cured, its progress can be controlled once it is diagnosed and treated properly. The standard test is the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), using an instrument known as a tonometer, during periodic visits to an ophthalmologist. However, the tonometer may fail to detect an elevated IOP, especially in glaucoma patients, because the pressure varies during the day and often peaks during sleep or outside of office hours. As a result, the disease is often diagnosed only after significant damage to the optic nerve has already occurred, and the disease keeps progressing in many patients due to inadequate treatment.

Sensimed’s ingenious solution is a two-part system comprising the smart contact lens and a small receiver worn around the patient’s neck.  In addition to the strain gauge the lens contains an antenna, a tiny dedicated processing circuit and an RF transmitter to communicate the measurements to the receiver. The lens is powered via the received radio waves and does not need to be connected to a battery. The embedded components are positioned in the lens in such a way that they do not interfere with the patient’s vision. The lens is fitted by the ophthalmologist and when the patient returns the next day the ophthalmologist removes the lens and receiver, obtaining a complete record of IOP changes over the preceding 24 hours.

The SENSIMED Triggerfish® has obtained the CE mark(4), is currently running numerous application trials, and is commercially available in selected centers.  ”The device is easy to use and has facilitated and improved patient care substantially,” said Dr.Kaweh Mansouri who has been using the Triggerfish at the University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

ST engineers are now working with Sensimed to translate this breakthrough technology into a reliable commercial MEMS product ready for mass production. ST expects the development of the MEMS sensor to be completed in Q2 2010 and manufacturing to start in Q3 2010, with availability outside trials to doctors and patients subject to regulatory approvals. Sensimed and ST anticipate progressively rolling out the product country-by-country across Europe beginning in Q3 and entering the US market by the end of 2011.

www.st.com

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