A wireless sensor system for industrial measurement and control is available from the Deeter Group. The basestation receives data from remote wireless devices such as the company's liquid vertical sensor (LVCS-RF) or wireless sender. The basestation converts remote sensor input signals into industry standard process outputs and acts as the co-ordinator for an IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor network. It operates on one of 16 radio frequency channels available in the 2.4GHz ISM band. The high power transceiver can achieve a range of greater than 1km, subject to local environmental factors. The internationally recognised IEEE 802.15.4 protocol allows several wireless sensor networks to share the same wireless spectrum without interference. The basestation provides four open-collector transistor outputs which may be used to drive external relays for pumps and alarms or the company's dual level controller. Continuous analogue sensor data such as liquid level is output using a 4 to 20mA current-loop driver which enables interfacing with industrial process controllers or the company's current loop indicators. A serial communications channel provides full-duplex RS232 and half-duplex RS485 transceivers allowing software to be developed for linking to PCs, data-loggers, PLCs or other proprietary equipment. The company also offers a multi-channel wireless sensor system for complex installations. It can display the state of up to eight analogue sensors and up to 32 switched inputs. Up to eight sensor nodes, which can be multi-input wireless senders or wireless LVCS-RF liquid vertical continuous sensors, can send information to a multi-channel base station. Sensor outputs are displayed, for monitoring, on a personal computer connected via an RS485 to USB adaptor using the company's Data Viewer Software. To increase transmission a wireless router and an external antenna kit is available. Up to four wireless routers may be incorporated into a monitoring system for a self-healing mesh network.
