Wireless sensor network - performance evaluation in the field

With continuing developments in communication technology, use of wireless devices and networks is increasing at a rapid pace. However end users are skeptical of the reliability and satisfactory performance of wireless technology especially for process control applications. The confidence to use wireless technology can be built by first using and evaluating the technology for monitoring non-critical applications. A case study of implementation of wireless network through sensors in a Generator testbed has been presented with an expectation to imbibe confidence amongst users for use of wireless in industrial applications. This is followed by performance evaluation of the wireless sensor network w.r.t checking of the reliability of instruments, ruggedness of network in presence of obstacles, electromagnetic interference, battery life deterioration etc. It is then concluded that wireless sensor network can be safely used for monitoring applications. However for time critical, fast response and high reliability applications it is still not ready.