A wireless reference node to provide self-calibration capability to wireless sensors networks

Wireless sensors networks (WSNs) are constantly expanding their application field, from simple two-state measurements (e.g., on/off, proximity detection, etc.) to distributed many-parameter measurements. Commercial WSNs offer a wide range of functions and performance with sensors sometimes achieving accuracy comparable with desktop instrumentation. However, the advantage of using such sensors for in-situ monitoring is often offset by the need of partially dismantling the network at the time of periodic network nodes calibration. As a result, new reference standards suitable for automatic and in-situ calibration of such sensors networks are needed in order to reduce the calibration cost, the inherent inefficiency and the logistic problems of a laboratory calibration, further exploiting the communication capabilities of a WSN. This work discusses the development of a wireless reference node (WRN) for the measuring of environment quantity such as air temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). The module was developed for accurate measurements of additional environment-related quantities whose principle is based on a capacitive sensing mechanism (e.g. pressure, air-flow, moisture, etc...). The WRN performance was investigated in the temperature range from 0 °C to 40 °C and in the relative humidity range from 10 %rh to about 90 %rh for its potential use as a transfer standard for automatic in-situ calibrations. Some of novelties here reported were patented and are now available to upgrade a basic WSN with an automatic in-situ calibration capability.