Wireless Data Logger – A Joint Use of Frequency Converter and Wireless Sensor Network

Abstract

“Smart Industry” is a new unavoidable trend in vast varieties of industry fields. In the case of developing smart crane systems, cutting edge innovation and design is required. Many crane manufactures have expressed their strong interest in applying wireless technology to their crane products. Recent research achievements in wireless sensor node development have created technologically mature, cost effective solutions for many applications. When either monitoring or controlling the crane, one must have access to the frequency converter first. As for the purpose of analyzing the behavior of crane, the Wireless Sensor Network can be used to collect data from frequency converters. In this thesis, a wireless sensor network system was designed and developed in order to collect data from several frequency converters. The UWASA Node, a wireless sensor node designed by researchers from Aalto University and University of Vaasa, was implemented for establishing this wireless data logging network. As a result, the system has an ability of logging continuous data as well as the changes of data in user defined logging interval. Additionally, the reliability of the wireless transmission was investigated and possible solutions were presented.