Image Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
interesting also in the domain of industrial automation. However, industrial automation applications
often have very distinct and stringent requirements, which necessitate that we loosen and extend the
classical definition of a WSN for them to be more applicable in an industrial setting.
This chapter will provide an overview of typical industrial automation applications, explain how
they differ from other domains, and highlight the key challenges when developing WSNs for the
industrial automation industry. A reference case will be used throughout the chapter to exemplify
these challenges and illustrate practical implications of design choices and requirements trade-offs.
The chapter is organized in four main parts as outlined below.
27.1.1 WSN in Industrial Automation
We start of with a (re)-definition of WSN from an industrial automation point of view, and detail
the key industry requirements and their impact on the core WSN technology.
27.1.2 Development Challenges
Following the description of applications and their requirements, we try to structure a generic devel-
opment cycle or process that highlights key challenges of developing WSN devices. This section
clearly shows how many different aspects that need to be considered, how intricate they are, and
how intertwined with each other.
27.1.3 Reference Case
Here, we describe the application of the reference case including the environmental conditions, appli-
cation requirements, and business motivation. he main elements of the design and implementation
are described to provide a basis for comparison in the following sections on development aspects.
27.1.4 Development Aspects
The final sections in this chapter elaborates on the key development aspects described earlier such
as standards, low-power design considerations, packaging, HW/SW modularity, power supply, and
component choice.
27.2 WSN in Industrial Automation
27.2.1 “Classical” WSN
Wikipedia defines a WSN as “a wireless network consisting of spatially distributed autonomous
devices using sensors to cooperatively monitor physical or environmental conditions, such as temper-
ature, sound, vibration, pressure, motion or pollutants, at different locations” []. [].The devices, which
are the focus of this chapter, are self-contained units comprising a microcontroller, power source
(usually, but not always, a battery), radio transceiver, and sensor element (Figure .).
WSNhavesomeintrinsicqualities,whichcanbederivedfromthedistributedautonomousnature
of the devices.
27.2.1.1 Self-Powered
WSNs are self-contained units with an internal power source (usually, but not always, a battery).
Becauseofthelimitationsofbatterylife,nodesarebuiltwithpowerconservationinmind,and
generally spend large amounts of time in a low-power “sleep” mode.
