Wireless Sensor Networking

Larger viewIce Skating RinkProblem:An ice skating rink needs a method to measure temperature and environmental data critical toensuring optimal ice quality and a superior skating environment. The solution must be embedded in -20° C ice, transmit through the ice, and operate on battery power. The system also must be linked upwith the rink’s ice making machines.

Solution:The ice skating rink integrates an 802.15.4 wireless network comprised of individual nodes. Each nodeis equipped with a temperature sensor containing an XBee-PRO 802.15.4 OEM RF embedded module.Each node can relay data off other nodes within its range until it reaches its final destination. Thenodes are placed at different points within the ice, as well as on wind speed and humidity sensorsthroughout the rink. A ConnectPort X gateway relays data to a central location; this data is combinedwith the data from the ice making machines. The two-way data transfer makes it possible to link thenetwork with the ice making machines. With this solution, the ice rink has the information needed toensure optimal ice conditions and safety.

Benefits:

Consistent ice quality increases skater satisfactionTwo-way data transfer allows the machines to quickly adjust to changes in temperature, wind orhumidityNodes can operate up to five years on two AA batteries, reducing maintenance time andincreasing management capabilities

Products used:XBee-PRO® 802.15.4 Modules, ConnectPort™ X

Larger viewFitness Equipment MonitoringProblem:Fitness machines in health clubs periodically break down without warning, leaving clubs and theirmembers short of operable equipment and requiring expensive on-site visits by repair technicians. Thesupplier of these machines would like to be able to monitor their operating health from a singleservice operations center in order to offer its health club customers a remote service program.

Solution:The equipment manufacturer integrates Digi’s XBee module into its machines to provide embeddedwireless connectivity. As part of a remote service program, the manufacturer installs a ConnectPort Xgateway (ZigBee to cellular) inside the participating club. Through the gateway, the equipmentsupplier is able to monitor machine health on a daily basis.

Benefits:

Equipment supplier can diagnose many common machine problems remotely and performpredictive maintenance in advance of machine failureFitness club experiences far higher machine uptime rates and better member satisfaction20% reduction in on-site visits by repair technicians

Products used:XBee™ Modules, ConnectPort™ X

Larger viewIrrigation ControlProblem:A golf resort is contending with ever-increasing water bills to irrigate its three 18-hole courses. Itsirrigation system over-waters shaded and low-lying areas on the courses, and under-waters the mostsun-exposed areas.

Solution:Moisture sensors containing Digi XBee modules are installed throughout the three courses. XBeewireless technology links each sensor in a low-power, self-healing network that allows greens keepersand turf specialists to collect moisture readings at one central PC. Sprinklers are automaticallytriggered if the sensor readings exceed preset thresholds for soil moisture content.

Benefits:

More consistent turf quality throughout the resort, with turf burn and standing water virtuallyeliminated15% reduction in overall water consumption50% reduction in customer complaints about turf conditions and 20% increase in tee timebookings six months after the system installation

Products used:XBee™ Modules

Larger viewAutomated Meter Reading (AMR)Problem: A local power distribution company utilizes a dial-up AMR system for its largest commercialcustomers, who purchase excess power for their own needs and for self-generation. The system isunreliable and is not easily scalable. The company would also like to deploy technology that willimprove its compliance monitoring efforts.

Solution: Power meters and generators are brought onto a mesh network using XBee™ adapters. AConnectPort™ X gateway transports information from sensors on those device back to applications onthe power company's IT network.

Benefits:

Access to metering information every 15 minutesTampering alarms for compliance monitoring

Products used:ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,XBee™ XTender

Larger viewTank Level MonitoringProblem: A bulk materials vendor uses field sales personnel to check and record tank inventory atcustomer sites, reducing sales force productivity. Inventory readings are sporadic and vulnerable toreading/recording error.

Solution: Tank level sensors measure inventory levels. XBee™ adapters mesh-enable the sensors soinventory data can be collected and backhauled to a central IP network using a ConnectPort™ Xgateway.

Benefits:

Sales force is no longer diverted from sellingMore frequent and accurate inventory monitoring results in improved customer service

Products used:ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,XBee™ XTender

Larger view

Fleet Management/Cold ChainProblem: Refrigeration failures and unlocked door latches cause inventory loss and insurance claims;truck component failures create unnecessary maintenance and asset utilization loss.

Solution: Sensors deployed throughout the tractor-trailer are network-enabled using ZigBee® meshtechnology. An onboard ConnectPort™ X gateway carries the mesh data traffic back to centralapplications on the trucking company's IP network for monitoring.

Benefits:

Key systems and components on the vehicle can be monitored for proactive maintenanceAutomated alarms alert company personnel to unauthorized incursions to the truck's cargo holdRefrigeration failures can be identified quickly enough to save perishable inventory and avoidinsurance claims

Products used:ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters

Larger viewBuilding ControlProblem: Operator of multi-site warehouse network would like centralized control of lighting systemsand the ability to remotely monitor entry/exit doors.

Solution: Ballasts on light fixtures are embedded with XBee™ modules for mesh networkconnectivity. Contact closures on the entry/exit doors as well as proximity sensors are mesh-enabledusing XBee™ adapters. A Digi Watchport® USB camera connected to the ConnectPort™ X gateway'sUSB port takes a video image of the area around the entry/exit door when the proximity sensor istriggered. The gateway houses an embedded cellular module that carries data from all devices on themesh network back to facility management applications running on the company's IP network.

Benefits:

Lighting control manifests downloaded to the ConnectPort X optimize light utilization for eachfacilityAutomatic dimming and zone controls based on occupancy and available daylight drive lowerenergy consumption and electricity costsRemote monitoring of facility access provides theft deterrent

Products used:ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,Watchport® Cameras, Watchport® Sensors

Larger viewRemote Monitoring of Rodent TrapsProblem: Rodent control is a problem that plagues many businesses and can be a major safetyhazard in enterprise applications. In large scale locations, such as a factory or warehouse, rodenttraps are placed strategically at points throughout the building. The downside of traditional rodentcontrol is that managers must spend time and money for personnel to manually check and empty thetraps.

Solution: A rodent control system manufacturer equipped a new line of traps with XBee-PRO™embedded RF modules. The modules wirelessly communicate with XBee-PRO RF adapters at remotemonitoring station PCs, notifying facility managers when the traps are full.

Benefits:

Wireless remote monitoring of real-time activity on rodent trapsIncreased efficiency and reduced labor costs

Products used:XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules

Larger viewAgricultural AutomationProblem: A poultry producer operates several farms throughout the country. Feeding, drinking,heating, cooling and ventilation systems are monitored and maintained by a field service team thatvisits each farm on weekly basis. Immediate service needs on these systems are called in by thefarm's manager upon which the company deploys a service technician to perform the repair. Withoutknowing the exact nature of the problem, technicians sometimes arrive without the necessaryreplacement parts to get the systems back up and running. In addition, response times can be slowdue to farms being in rural locations. The company would like to remotely monitor these whole housesystems in order to diagnose the nature of failures before dispatching a technician and to performpredictive failure analysis.

Solution: The company uses Digi's XBee™ adapters to connect these whole house systems to itscorporate IP network where data can be monitored centrally. The data is transported from the farm tothe company's primary IP network over a cellular connection using Digi's ConnectPort™ X gateway.

Benefits:

Visibility to device and system failures before they occurHigher first-visit repair rates since diagnosis happens before field techs arrive onsiteImproved equipment uptime, consistently optimal environmental conditions for growth, andbetter production yield