JP2007201577A - Sensor node and sensor network using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sensor node which can be collected easily and surely at low cost, and to provide a network system using it. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of sensor nodes 100 are coupled one by one through a coupling member connected with a joint 6, with spacing therebetween, to constitute a continuous sensor nodes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sensor node and a sensor network system for monitoring the environment and the state of an object.

  One means for remotely monitoring environmental conditions and changes such as temperature, humidity, and acceleration is a sensor network system. In general, a sensor network system is a system that collects information wirelessly by arranging sensor network terminals called sensor nodes in a monitoring target area. The sensor node includes a power supply unit such as a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor. The sensor is appropriately selected according to the purpose to constitute a sensor node.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional sensor node.

  The sensor node 102 includes a battery 1, a control circuit 2, a wireless circuit 3, a sensor 4, and an antenna 5. The sensor 4 is connected to the control circuit 2, and the antenna 5 is connected to the wireless circuit 3. The sensor 4 detects information, collects and operates this information in the control circuit 2, and sends it to another sensor node or a central information collection control device (not shown) via the radio circuit 3 and the antenna 5. . By constructing such a sensor network system, for example, the situation in dangerous areas and remote areas where humans cannot directly collect information is confirmed.

  In general, the sensor node uses a UHF band of 300 MHz to 500 MHz or a microwave band of 2.45 GHz as a radio frequency.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional sensor network system.

  Each sensor node 102 is placed or scattered in a certain area randomly and randomly. In other words, it is installed by hand by hand, or in a wide area or danger area by being sprayed from the air with a helicopter. As shown in FIG. 6, each sensor node communicates autonomously with another sensor node installed several meters to several tens of meters away according to the set radio frequency performance. These sensor nodes transmit information via each sensor node sequentially by multi-hop communication, thereby enabling long-distance communication.

  Such a sensor node and a sensor network system are disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2005-184727 A

  However, when these sensor nodes achieve their intended purpose or the sensor node's battery life is exhausted over time, the time comes when it must be collected.

  Here, consider a case where a sensor node installed in a mountainous area is collected. Since many sensor nodes have been installed for several years, they are exposed to wind and rain, buried in earth and sand, vegetation, and washed away in debris flow, making it difficult to collect all sensor nodes. . Further, if a sensor node that cannot be collected is left unattended, it is expected that the battery and electronic circuit components contained in the sensor node will adversely affect the natural environment and animals and plants. Moreover, it may flow into the river and adversely affect not only the natural environment but also artificial structures and facilities.

  Further, since the sensor node itself is expensive, it is desirable to collect and reuse the sensor node. However, there are some sensors that are left uncollected at present.

  The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a sensor node that can be easily and reliably collected at low cost and a sensor network system using the sensor node.

  The sensor node of the present invention facilitates collection by forming a sensor node continuous body in which a plurality of sensor nodes are connected separately from each other. That is, the sensor nodes are connected by, for example, a string-like connecting member to form a sensor node continuous body.

  This continuum is transported in a wound state using, for example, a winding device, and the end of the continuum is pulled out in a state where the sensor node is connected, and placed by manpower or machine, or sprayed in the air. Install the sensor network system in the observation area. Furthermore, at the time of collection, the entire continuum is easily collected by using a part of the continuum as a clue and pulling the remaining part.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a sensor node in which a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor are housed in a housing, and the connecting node is provided on at least a part of the outer wall of the housing. A sensor node is obtained.

  According to the present invention, there can be obtained a sensor node continuum characterized by connecting two or more of the sensor nodes.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sensor node continuum formed by connecting two or more sensor nodes each including a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor in a casing.

  According to the present invention, a sensor node continuum comprising two or more sensor nodes each having a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor housed in a housing, connected via a connecting member. Is obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sensor node continuous body in which the connecting member is a string-like body.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sensor node continuum having a collection assisting member for hooking or gripping the sensor node continuum.

  According to this invention, the sensor network system characterized by using the said sensor node continuous body is obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a sensor node and a sensor network system using the sensor node that can be easily and reliably collected despite the low cost.

  The sensor node of the present invention facilitates collection by forming a sensor node continuous body in which a plurality of sensor nodes are connected separately from each other. That is, if necessary, each sensor node is provided with a connecting portion for attaching a connecting member. For example, a string-like connecting member is passed through this connecting portion so that each sensor node is arranged at a constant interval. Connected to form a sensor node continuum.

  Since the sensor nodes are arranged in series in this continuous body, for example, the sensor nodes are transported in a state of being wound around a winding device, and are drawn out from the end of the continuous body in a state where the sensor nodes are connected, and are mounted by manpower or machine. Set up in the observation area. Furthermore, at the time of collection, the entire continuum can be collected by pulling the remainder from a part of the continuum.

  In order to facilitate collection, a collection auxiliary member such as a hook or a ring may be provided on at least a part of the sensor node or the coupling member.

  Similarly, in order to facilitate collection, at least a part of the sensor node continuum is coated with visible paint, fluorescent paint, etc. so that at least a part of the sensor node continuum can be detected using visual inspection or a survey device. It is also preferable to apply.

  Similarly, in order to facilitate collection, it is also possible to arrange a self-electromotive or self-charging transmitter on at least a part of the sensor node continuum.

  It is preferable to connect or arrange the connecting member at a position that does not hinder the function of the sensor node so that the antenna and sensor of the installed sensor node operate normally regardless of the state of the installation location. Further, it is preferable that the connecting member is connected or installed at a position where the walking of the animal is not hindered. That is, the connecting member is preferably arranged so as to be connected to the connection portion on the side surface of the casing near the installation surface of the installed sensor node.

  The contact area between the sensor node and the installation location so that the connection member can maintain a position that does not impede the function of the sensor node even when sprayed in the air or when the installation location changes due to exposure to wind and rain. It is more preferable that the sensor node has a shape such that the center of gravity of the sensor node comes to a low position near the ground contact surface. That is, it is more preferable that the entire sensor node has a plate shape or a cone shape or a truncated cone shape as a whole.

  Any material can be used as long as it is made of a material that does not impede the function of the sensor node, but any material that does not lose its connection function even when exposed to wind and rain for a long period of time, that is, a material that does not corrode other than metal. It is desirable that the material is made of a material that is not easily corroded and that is specially processed even if it is a metal. As a material satisfying these conditions, it is preferable to use, for example, a string made of nylon or silicone, or a stainless steel wire coated with nylon or silicone.

  Any connecting member can be applied as long as it has a shape that does not hinder the function of the sensor node, such as a string shape, a chain shape, or a stitch shape, but in consideration of the convenience of installation, recovery, and storage, A member having a small string-like or chain-like linear shape is desirable.

  The collected sensor node is preferably reused by replacing or replacing parts and batteries as necessary.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a sensor node according to the present invention.

  The internal configuration of the sensor node 100 is basically the same as that of the conventional sensor node shown in FIG. That is, the battery 1, the control circuit 2, the wireless circuit 3, the sensor 4, and the antenna 5 are included. The same applies to the radio frequency band to be used.

  A connection portion 6 for connecting a connecting member is provided outside the sensor node 100. Although the connecting portion 6 is illustrated in a semicircular shape with a hole for passing the string 7, it is sufficient that the sensor node is fixed to the connecting member, depending on the material and shape of the connecting member to be used, and the connecting means of the sensor node and the connecting member A perforated polygonal shape, a hook shape, and the like can be appropriately changed.

  In addition, instead of providing a connection part in a part of the sensor node, for example, a means for embedding the sensor node in a belt-like connecting member may be employed. That is, a sensor node continuous body may be configured by embedding the sensor node in the connecting member itself to form a string or band.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using examples.

Example 1
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a sensor node continuum.

  30 sensor nodes 100 shown in FIG. 1 were prepared, connected to the connection portions 6 of the sensor nodes 100 through nylon strings 7, and the sensor nodes 100 were arranged at regular intervals to form a continuous body.

  The distance D between the sensor nodes 100 is within the wireless communication distance range of the sensor node 100, and is preferably about the wireless communication distance in consideration of cost effectiveness. The wireless system used in the sensor network system includes a weak wireless system, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) system, a ZIGBEE (registered trademark) system, and the like. In this embodiment, the ZIGBEE system is adopted. Since the wireless communication distance in this case is a little over 10 meters, the distance D between the sensor nodes 100 is set to 10 meters from the above viewpoint.

  In this embodiment, the distance D between the sensor nodes 100 is 10 meters. However, depending on the selection of the wireless communication method, the performance of the sensor node, and the conditions of the installation location, the range does not hinder the wireless communication. Considering cost effectiveness, it is better to change as appropriate.

  When this continuum is wound on a reel, transferred, and installed on a slope in a mountainous area in a knitted pattern so that each sensor node is spaced by 10 meters, a sensor network system is constructed, and a good communication state is maintained. I was able to. The upper part of the sensor node was then covered with grass and was not visible, but all the sensor nodes could be easily recovered by searching a part of the string 7 and winding it again on the reel.

(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a sensor node continuum.

  50 sensor nodes 100 shown in FIG. 1 were prepared, tied to the connection portion 6 of each sensor node 100 through a string 7, and the sensor nodes 100 were arranged at intervals of 10 meters to form a continuous body. Ring-shaped collection assisting members 8 having a diameter of 30 centimeters are attached to both ends and three intermediate portions of the continuum. Further, a pink fluorescent paint was applied to the collection assisting member.

  When this continuous body is wound on a reel, spread in the air in order from the end, and installed on the slope of a mountainous area in the same manner as in Example 1, a sensor network system is constructed, and a good communication state can be maintained. It was. Although the sensor node 100 was not visible from the air, all the sensor nodes could be collected by finding the collection assisting member 8, grasping it with a crane, dragging it, and winding it again on the reel.

(Example 3)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and shows sensor nodes.

  A sensor node 101 was configured by placing a hemispherical case 10 containing a sensor node component assembly 104 composed of each component of the sensor node on the disk 9 and integrating them. The diameter of the disk 9 was 10 centimeters, and the diameter of the case 10 was 6 centimeters. Further, a perforated semicircular connecting portion 6 was provided in a part of the disk.

  50 sensor nodes 101 were prepared, a continuum similar to that of Example 2 was manufactured, and sprayed in the air as in Example 2. As a result, the diameter of the disk 9 was larger than the diameter of the case 10, and the case 10 was hemispherical. Because it is shaped, it becomes a cone shape as a whole, and each sensor node 101 falls so that the disk touches the ground surface even though it constitutes a continuous body, and the antenna enters the open space. I started to communicate normally and stably. Moreover, since the connection part 6 through which the string 7 penetrates is close to the installation location, no adverse effects on animals, plants, buildings, and facilities were confirmed.

  In this embodiment, the hemispherical case 10 having a diameter shorter than the diameter of the disk 9 is placed on the disk 9. However, the disk 10 is not limited to the disk, and the case 10 is not limited to the disk. However, the shape is not limited to a hemispherical shape. That is, any shape may be used as long as it is a sensor node shape having an approximately cone shape as a whole, and a shape in which the center of gravity is located at a position lower than ½ of the height.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention is not limited to the scope of the present invention. Included in the invention. That is, various changes and modifications that can be naturally made by those skilled in the art are also included in the present invention.

  By using the sensor node of the present invention and a sensor network system using the sensor node, various information systems represented by a slope failure monitoring system, a weather or environmental information collection system can be constructed and operated safely and at a low price. .

Explanatory drawing which shows the sensor node by this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the Example of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional sensor node. Explanatory drawing which shows the conventional sensor network system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Battery 2 Control circuit 3 Radio circuit 4 Sensor 5 Antenna 6 Connection part 7 String 8 Collection assistance member 100,101,102 Sensor node 104 Sensor node component assembly 9 Disc 10 Case D Distance between sensor nodes

Claims (7)

  A sensor node comprising a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor housed in a housing, wherein the sensor node has a connection portion on at least a part of the outer wall of the housing.   A sensor node continuum comprising two or more sensor nodes according to claim 1 connected to each other.   A sensor node continuum comprising two or more sensor nodes each including a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor housed in a casing.   The sensor node according to claim 2 or 3, wherein two or more sensor nodes each including a battery, a control circuit, a radio circuit, an antenna, and a sensor are connected to each other through a connecting member. Continuum.   The sensor node continuous body according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting member is a string-like body.   The sensor node continuum according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a collection assisting member for hooking or gripping the sensor node continuum.   A sensor network system using the sensor node continuum according to claim 2.

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