Systematic Development of a Wireless Sensor Network for Piezo-Based Sensing

Abstract

A low-power wireless sensor/actuator network was specially developed and optimized for piezoceramic transducer-based active sensing applications. Wireless sensor network promises increased system flexibility, lower system cost, and increased robustness through decentralization. Piezoceramic signal conditioning circuit, actuating circuit, power management, and wireless microcontroller were integrated in the hardware design. IEEE 802.15.4 wireless stack protocol was implemented on the hardware, and user input/output management together with a shell provided easier debugging and configuring interface. The designed system provides a low-power wireless solution towards many applications such as wireless structural health monitoring and wireless structural vibration control.