Sensor network monitor
Sensor network monitor
Background
Advances in microelectronics make it possible to equip sensors directly with a microcontroller and a wireless interface. By equipping the sensors with limited computing capacity, local or distributed pre-processing of the recorded data is possible. The radio interface enables the pre-processed data to be queried without an external infrastructure. Compared to traditional data acquisition devices, so-called wireless sensor networks (WSN) can generally monitor large areas more easily and robustly. Sensor networks can also be used in remote locations that are difficult to reach. Recently, sensor networks have been penetrating a large number of new application areas. The variables recorded can vary greatly and the degree of pre-processing and filtering carried out in the network also varies greatly. The spectrum ranges from direct transmission of raw data to the tracking of objects moving through the network.
Sensor networks allow the simple collection of data. However, this volume of data is only useful if it is available in a form that is easy for the user to grasp. The end user should be able to intuitively gain an initial overview of the data before it is analysed further if necessary. In addition, the user should be able to check the status of the network at any time in order to make corrections, such as replacing failed sensor nodes, if necessary.
Both requirements should be met by an intuitive application for displaying and analysing the recorded data and the network status. In order to support as many different applications as possible, the application should be easily adaptable to different sensor network architectures, for example with different data formats.
The System Software and Distributed Systems department has a large number of sensor nodes at its disposal, which also allow larger sensor networks to be set up. Among other things, a wireless sensor network for recording temperature profiles in living and office spaces is currently being created as part of a Diplom thesis.
Task
As part of this work, a flexible application for displaying the data recorded by a sensor network and the network status is to be created. After completion of the work, this application will serve as the basis for the user interface of future sensor network projects in the department.
As preliminary work, the current state of research will first be determined and existing scientific and commercial systems for data and status display in sensor networks will be analysed.
The main focus of the work is the design and development of the actual application. On the one hand, it should allow a visualisation of the data collected by the network and, on the other hand, enable easy access to the current operating status of the network and the nodes. In addition to a direct display of the current sensor values, the visualisation should also support the processing of recorded data. The network status primarily includes the arrangement of the network nodes, the network topology and the current operating status of the individual nodes, for example the battery charge status. To simplify further analysis of the data, the application should also allow data export (e.g. CSV and XML). As sensor networks are usually very different from one another, particular emphasis is placed on simple customisability and expandability. For example, new display formats and data formats should be easy to integrate.
A basic evaluation of the data, such as the determination of minima, maxima and average values, can also be integrated as an extension. Easy expandability is also desirable here.
The system can be created either as a web or Java application.
In addition to the development, an evaluation of the application's suitability for use with an existing sensor network, for example for temperature recording, should also be carried out.