Wireless sensor networks monitor parameters such as temperature, humidity, gas concentration at many locations spread over a large area. Examples of applications are in green tech (optimization of water usage in agriculture, emission of greenhouse gases), building monitoring (indoor climate, fatigue and vibration on structures) and health tech (body-area sensor networks for motion-pattern analysis and determining the physical status of patients).
Combining our world-class knowledge of micromechanical inertial-navigation systems, motion-related signal processing and low-power wireless-sensor networks has enabled us to perform motion studies on patients suffering from epilepsy by using body area sensor networks.
Wireless moisture detection in constructions
In an earlier project, we developed a ZigBee-based wireless sensor network system at a building site. The system monitored the temperature and moisture levels in wood and concrete and the humidity in the air during the construction stage. The sensor nodes contained humidity and temperature sensors, sensor electronics, a microcontroller and ZigBee modules. The sensor data was collected in a coordinating node, forwarded to a database server and presented on a homepage.
Schematic view of the ZigBee-based wireless sensor network used for monitoring humidity and temperature on a building site.
The work was done together with the Division of Building Materials at Lund Institute of Technology and was partly funded by the Development Fund of the Swedish Construction Industry (Svenska Byggbranschens Utvecklingsfond, SBUF) and Boverket. The results have been summarized in a written report (in Swedish).
Download report "Trådlösa fuktsensorer inom byggindustrin" (PDF)
We conducted a survey together with the Division of Building Materials at Lund Institute of Technology on the construction sector’s need for moisture measurement in buildings. This project also included a survey on moisture-measurement techniques and sensors available on the market and of network solutions that can be used in a system for wireless moisture measurement. The work was partly funded by the Development Fund of the Swedish Construction Industry (Svenska Byggbranschens Utvecklingsfond, SBUF). The results have been summarized in a written report (in Swedish).
Download report "En studie av byggbranschens framtida fuktmätningsbehov" (PDF)