Development of wireless sensor module and network for temperature monitoring in cold chain logistics

Abstract

In this paper, a wireless sensor module (WSM) and network used for cool box temperature monitoring in cold chain logistics is presented. The proposed WSM is implemented by integrating mainly a wireless microcontroller JENNIC 5418 based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard with a thermocouple sensing converter MAX31855. The transmitter power and sensitivity of the proposed module are 2.5 dBm and -95 dBm respectively, and the temperature range/resolution of the sensing converter is -40∼125 °C/0.25 °C. In order to demonstrate the communication quality of the proposed WSM, the point-to-point link quality indication (LQI) has been measured in a 20-foot cargo container filled up with the watered Styrofoam boxes. Furthermore, cool box temperature monitoring and cargo container position tracking regularly at remote-end are demanded for preventing the food from perishing under transportation in cold-chain logistics. Therefore, the access point (coordinator) of the wireless sensor network integrated with the GPS and 3G communication system is considerable, and it has been developed in our project. © 2012 IEEE.