Wireless intelligent sensor and actuator network (WISAN): a scalable ultra-low-power platform for structural health monitoring

Abstract

This paper presents Wireless Intelligent Sensor and Actuator Network (WISAN) as a scalable wireless platform for structural health monitoring. Design of WISAN targeted key issues arising in applications of structural health monitoring. First, scalability of system from a few sensors to hundreds of sensors is provided through hierarchical cluster-tree network architecture. Special consideration is given to reliable delivery of wireless data in real-world conditions. Second, a possibility of autonomous operation of sensor nodes from energy harvesters is ensured through extremely low power consumption in operational and standby modes of operation. Third, all the sensors and actuators operate in globally synchronized time on the order of a few microseconds through utilization of the beaconing mechanism of IEEE802.15.4 standard. Fourth, depending on application requirements, the system is capable of delivering real-time streams of sensor data or performing on-sensor storage and/or processing with result transmission. Finally, a capability to work with heterogeneous arrays of sensors and actuators is ensured by a variety of analog and digital interfaces. Results of experimental tests validate the performance of the WISAN.