A Hybrid Solution For situations requiring the best of both worlds – star and mesh – Wireless Sensors offers a hybrid solution based on SensiNet* technology. Proven effective for environmental monitoring in data cen- ters, Wireless Sensors’ implementation of SensiNet capitalizes on the low latency of a star topology while maintaining the flexibility and resil- ience of the mesh approach (Figure 2).


The technology is a hybrid because: • As in a star topology, bridges (and their corresponding routers) provide a direct link to the IP network.


• As in a mesh network, sensors connect to routers and bridges as if they were ordinary nodes and automatically re-route to a different router or bridge if a transmission segment becomes unavailable.


The constant availability to network traffic provided by the solution’s RF mesh routers and bridges is an important advantage. In traditional mesh networking, the network only handles messages when sched- uled to wake up. With its mesh routers and interrupt-based messaging, SensiNet remains continuously available to deliver traffic immediately.


SensiNet’s hybrid approach also enables individual selection of reporting intervals. Because the entire network isn’t governed by the most time-sensitive measurement, each node can be set for the optimum combination of reporting interval and battery life.


Greater Resiliency Traditional mesh networks often collapse if a critical node loses power when heavy traffic drains its battery. The SensiNet architecture avoids this issue through redundant communication paths that ensure reliable communica- tion. Self-organization and self-healing capabilities allow SensiNet to adapt to changes in the physical environment and contribute to its resiliency. The network can also dynamically reorganize when encountering interference to enable coexistence with other networks.


New and Legacy Sensors To help organizations rapidly span that last mile and con- nect legacy equipment, Wireless Sensors offers its own line of Smart Sensors and accessories for fast setup (Figure 3). The sensors address applications ranging from smart build- ings and data centers to specialized industrial applica- tions, such as cryogenic storage. Sensors are available for: ambient and contained environments, humidity, pressure, differential pressure, airflow, contact status, and AC current. The sensors can be easily reconfigured and relocated as monitoring needs change.


Figure 3.


Wireless Sensors offers a range of Smart Sensors in attractive designs for a variety of purposes and environments.


For sensors that measure ambient conditions, Wireless Sensors constructs its units to allow increased airflow. The high-performance embedded MEMS sensors react quickly to change. A wall-mounting bracket makes installation easy, and a C battery provides dramatically extended operational life.


To integrate legacy analog third-party sensors, Wireless Sensors feeds their signals into the system through 4-20 mA and 0-10VDC inputs on the Smart Sensors. The Smart Sensors then communicate through bridges with a wireless IoT gateway.


USB 3.0 The Intel® Figure 4. NUC-based GWAY-2100 wireless gateway


(shown with the BRDG-1222) is an application-ready design for smaller applications.


From Radio Frequency to IP In the SensiNet mesh network, sensors exchange RF data packets. To enable IoT communications, the bridges in the network convert these RF packets into TCP/IP packets. A single bridge can support the integration of hundreds of sensor nodes, minimizing costs. Remote bridges can sup- port hardwired sensors if an application requires only a few measurement points. By distributing bridges across an Ethernet network, the network can easily handle thousands of sensors, leveraging Ethernet’s scalability and modalities (wired, Wi-Fi, cellular).


intel.com/embedded-innovator | Embedded Innovator | 13th Edition | 2016 | 57


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