Multi-channel wireless sensor system

Deeter Electronics has introduced a new Multi-Channel Wireless Sensor System for more complex installations. The new system permits the monitoring of greater numbers of remote devices than was previously possible and can display the state of up to eight analogue sensors and up to thirty two switched inputs.

The new Multi-Channel Wireless Sensor System is connected from the Base Station to a personal computer by an RS485 to USB adaptor. On the host computer Deeter Data Viewer Software displays the outputs of up to eight analogue inputs and up to thirty two switched inputs from as many as eight sensor nodes which can be multi-input Deeter Wireless Senders or Deeter Wireless LVCS-RF Liquid Vertical Continuous Sensors.

The Deeter Data Viewer application runs under Windows™ and provides a means of viewing the outputs from multiple sensor nodes by interpreting the data stream from the Base Station’s serial communications port. The Data Viewer visualises the performance of the Base Station and it is the best way to utilise all the features of the Deeter Wireless Sensor System. It permits the user to view the inputs from multiple sensor nodes (Deeter Wireless Senders or LVCS-RF), change the settings in the Base Station and network, record the sensor data-stream, monitor and record network events and monitor remote sensor battery voltages.

Up to eight Deeter Wireless Senders can be used per Multi-Channel Base Station, each take the input from either a resistive potentiometric sensor or any 4-20mA device, and up to four switched inputs. This gives a total of up to eight analogue inputs and up to thirty two switched inputs. Deeter LVCS-RF (Liquid Vertical Continuous Sensors RF) can also be used as sensor nodes. Up to eight LVCS-RF sensors can be used per Multi-channel Wireless Base Station. A combination of Senders and LVCS-RF can be used up to the maximum of eight sensor nodes.

The simple-to-use Deeter Base Station receives the data from remote wireless devices and acts as the coordinator for an IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor network. It operates on one of 16 radio frequency channels available in the 2.4GHz ISM band. The internationally recognised IEEE 802.15.4 protocol allows several wireless sensor networks to share the same wireless spectrum without interference.

To increase the range of the Deeter Wireless Sensor System or overcome adverse environmental conditions one or more Deeter Wireless Routers may be added to the wireless network. The use of multiple Deeter Wireless Routers creates a highly reliable self-healing wireless mesh network.

Additionally, 3m antenna extension kits can be used to raise the antenna higher, further away from obstacles found at ground level which also serves to improve signal strength.

Peter Whiteaker, Managing Director of Deeter Electronics, comments: "The launch of our Wireless Sensor System has been met with great interest. It provides a highly cost effective wireless monitoring solution for a large number of smaller industrial monitoring applications. We have now received a number of customer requests for a greater number of input channels and we are very pleased to introduce our new Multi-Channel system.”

Deeter Wireless Sensor Network products are housed in rugged ABS enclosures with external antennas. Cable glands are provided for power input and signal outputs and they come complete with external, wall mounted, universal AC input power supplies.