Building an HMI and demo application of WSN-based industrial control systems

In this paper we present the details of methodology pursued in implementation of an HMI and Demo Temperature Monitoring application for wireless sensor-based distributed control systems. The application of WSN for a temperature monitoring and control is composed of a number of sensor nodes (motes) with a networking capability that can be deployed for monitoring and control purposes. The temperature is measured in the real time by the sensor boards that sample and send the data to the monitoring computer through a base station or gateway. This paper proposes how such monitoring system can be setup emphasizing on the aspects of low cost, energy-efficient, easy ad-hoc installation and easy handling and maintenance. This paper focuses on the overall potential of wireless sensor nodes and networking in industrial applications. A specific case study is given for the measurement of temperature (with thermistor or thermocouple), humidity, light and the health of the WSN. The focus was not on these four types of measurements and analysis but rather on the design of a communication protocol and building of an HMI software for monitoring. So, a set of system design requirements are developed that covered the use of the wireless platforms, the design of sensor network, the capabilities for remote data access and management, the connection between the WSN and an HMI software designed with MATLAB.