Whilst many Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) applications remain in the research domain, there is increased effort in
some circles to apply the concept and related technology to industrial purposes. This study experimentally tests how low
power sensor devices perform in simulated industrial scenarios in terms of communication with a particular focus on
metallic environments, where radio frequency devices tend to fare badly. The study covers experimentation in a number
of different physical environments, as well as with varying materials which may be found in typical industrial situations.
The study also considers two popular operating frequencies for comparison: 915MHz and 2.45GHz. The aim of this
study is to gauge the effect that the environment has on a low power sensor device, as this is important when considering
their constrained operating parameters. In doing this it will be possible to ensure that WSN are practical for industrial deployment and potentially suggest ways in which improvements could be made.
Gas cylinders are used in many different situations, such as in research, in industry, in healthcare, and even in the home.
Due to demand in such a wide variety of circumstances, there is the inevitable ambition of gas suppliers to improve the
efficiency of their business. To this end, a prototype inventory management has been implemented in order to provide
such improved efficiency whilst also integrating sensors in order to monitor gas cylinders from a safety perspective. The
prototype system is presented in this paper and its operation described in detail. Preliminary results from the prototype
system are also shown and the sensors implemented for demonstration are discussed. Future work to be conducted is
also alluded to.
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