Sensor Networks

Monitoring of smart environments represent the next evolutionary step in development of building, utilities, industrial, home and transportation systems automation. The smart environment relies mainly on sensory data obtained from the real world. Sensory data are transferred from multiple sensors with diff erent modalities in distributed locations. The smart environment needs the information about its surroundings including its internal operations.

IPMCE sensor networks lab conducts the applied research and development in sensor networks.

The development of wireless sensor networks is challenging in that it requires the knowledge in variety of disciplines: wireless communication networks, smart sensors, physical transduction principles, self-organization, signal processing and decision-making, where IPMCE has a solid background and experience.

The main advantages of wireless sensors are:

• Wireless data transfer
• Simple deployment/installation
• Autonomous/low power consumption
• Self-confi guration/self-recovery
• Data transmission/data saving
• Capacity for operation on moving objects
• Long-term operation

At present, IPMCE researchers and engineers are involved in designing the sensor network platform, which is the product development basis for a number of vertical markets. This team’s key areas of expertise are network architecture and protocols, OS design, as well as low-power consumption solutions and small multifunctional sensor nodes (mechanical sensors, magnetic & electromagnetic sensors, thermo- and acoustic sensors).

The variety of transduction principles allow to measure and monitor the smart environment:

Physical properties:

• Pressure
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Flow

Motion properties:

• Position
• Velocity
• Angular Velocity
• Acceleration

Contact properties:

• Strain
• Force
• Torque
• Slip
• Vibration

Presence:

• Tactile/Contact
• Proximity
• Distance/Range
• Motion

Identifi cation:

• Personal features
• Personal ID

Our solution for sensor networks platform includes sensor nodes and corporate network or Internet gate. Being more complicated device than sensor nodes, the gate operates under embedded Linux or ECOS OS, which allows for simple implementation of following interfaces:

• Ethernet (incl. PoE) 10/100mbit/sec
• TCP/IP, WEB
• GPRS
• IEEE802.11x
• USB
• RS-232
• RS-485
• etc.

Basing on the above platform, sensor networks lab develops the solutions for urban infrastructure, military domain, healthcare and smart home. Some of them are:

• Development of new generation of easy installable intellectual wireless sensors for Moscow Government, including wireless HVAC/security system for RF Committee on Science and Technology.
• The system for wireless monitoring of biological parameters in laboratory animals for preclinical tests.
• Wireless monitoring system for the components of locomotives and trains which enables to control staff operation and to monitor sophisticated mechanical systems.

One of the main IPMCE advantages that allows for development of high-tech innovative products competitive in the international market consists in full cycle design services provided throughout all stages of this process.