WSN-based dynamic visual performance management system

Abstract

A wireless sensor network with control elements using the low cost and opensource

Arduino platform is designed and implemented in this di ssertation. The

concept of the Arduino was introduced in 2005 and now extends to a wide variety of

microcontroller boards and add-ons such as shields to suit di ffe rent requirements and

applications. The Arduino Uno, Fio, Wireless Proto and Ethernet shi eld s are used in

this proj ect. Wireless communications are achieved using the XBee module which

runs the Zigbee protocol, a personal area network protocol intended for wireless

sensor networks. Various sensors of light, temperature and occupancy were tested

and achieved mixed result s. The temperature and occupancy sensors worked well

and are found to be suitable for this project, but the light sensor on the other hand

does not perform well due to its inconsistency. The Arduino Fio was used as the

platform for the sensor nodes and data validation was performed to verify the

accuracy of the collected data. Control elements were also introduced into the

wireless sensor network to enable the option of controlling devices such as the air-conditioning,

lights and blinds. A mock-up model was constructed in the first phase

of the project and the LEOs and blind were successfully realized and controlled by

the Arduino. For the real-life test bed, a commercial motorized blind solution was

purchased and installed, and the accompanying remote was modified to enable the

Arduino to bypass the physical buttons to control the blind. The base station forms

the core of the wireless sensor network and is required to send data into a database

and to be able to receive control instructions from a server. This is achieved by

connecting it to the internet using the Ethernet shield . The Arduino platform proves

to be reliable overall for this application purpose and further development can be

conducted in the future to improve and extend its functionality.