Wireless technology for occupational dosimetry implementing medium range sensor networks

The paper presents an innovative networked solution for a continuous measurement of human exposure to ultraviolet rays and dust. The platform is made up of mobile wireless sensors nodes, designed to be attached on clothes, in order to be simply wore by anybody. Power supply is not needed, thanks to the use of energy harvesting techniques. The physical sensor itself is selected among commercial components available off the shelf, but the antenna and the radio are designed on purpose and integrated on the dress. The whole device is realized by means of a manufacturing technique that allows its washability. Flexibility, light weight and small dimensions guarantee a non-intrusive presence of the component, which does not affect the normal activity of the subject. Several wireless networking solutions are considered and implemented, depending on the needs of the specific application and the connectivity range. The solution can be schematically applied to a huge variety of cases. Among all, we have selected a particular application, dedicated to workers employed in the construction sites, with particular reference to people working in Middle East Countries, where summer temperatures may become higher than 52 degrees and winter strong dust/sand storms may happen on a weekly basis. The general realization scheme is presented, together with an analysis of the performance of a first prototype.