NI WSN Link Quality Logger

This Program gives the ability to use existing NI WSN hardware to determine the Link Quality of WSN nodes in an application environment. By doing so users will be able to determine the best deployment locations for WSN nodes durring applications.

The development of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has given engineers a new tool for remote monitoring applications. In one such application, National Instruments was able to automate remote measurements from a water retention pond at our corporate headquarters using the NI WSN product line. In this application, a wireless solution was ideal because running power and communication cables would be cost prohibitive and interfere with the daily commute of our employees. To learn more about the application visit the Environmental Monitoring at the National Instruments Pond with NI WSN case study.

Determining where to place WSN measurement nodes is an important step in the development of any remote monitoring application. Each node should be placed where it can maintain a reliable communication link back to the WSN gateway. NI WSN nodes broadcast their link quality, which is dependent on RF environment, and the attached example application can be used to monitor and log the link quality of several WSN nodes, aiding in the deployment of your WSN system.

Hardware Required, How to use and System Diagram

The best way to use this example program is to have 3 or more NI WSN nodes (any type, configured for 1 sample per second), 1 NI WSN gateway and 1 mobile computing device (laptop). Some users should take the WSN nodes and walk around the application environment near the desired deployment location. At the same time have another user at the laptop with the NI WSN Link Quality Logger running to log the link quality. This user can also verbally update the link quality in real time of each node as it is running to determine best node placement. Please note that NI WSN nodes have an outdoor range of up to 300 meters so some form of radio communication might be needed when relaying link quality to each user. When logging data the NI WSN Link Quality Logger gives the ability to choose the data logging frequency. If post processing data remember to note when and where each node is during a logging session. The supported file formats are Text (ASCII) or TDMS (Binary). The WSN nodes, WSN Gateway and Laptop should be set up in a similar manner to the following system diagram:

Configure the NI WSN Link Quality Logger

1. Read and follow the NI Wireless Sensor Network Devices Getting Started Guide
2. Configure WSN Gateway Name or IP address (this is the name of the gateway in Measurement and Automation Explorer or MAX)
3. Configure Logging Settings
    Logging On or Off
    Data type to TEXT or TDMS     
    Logging Frequency (5-60s)
    Log File Path and Chart Snap Shot Directory
4. Start the Link Quality Logging Session.

See image below

Link Quality Data Representation

The data is represented in 3 different ways.
1.Node Information is presented in a graphical cluster format so users can tell the following information about each node.

Node ID
Serial Number
Link Quality
Battery Voltage
Node Type
Firmware Ver.
Last Network Update from Gateway

See image below

2.Node Information is presented in a table format.

See image below

3.Link Quality Information of each node is presented in a chart with export to Bitmap (picture) capabilities. 

See image below

Attached to this document is a LabVIEW 2009 Project and LabVIEW 2009 Executable. 
Note: For the LabVIEW 2009 Executable only the LabVIEW 2009 runtime engine and NI-WSN 1.0.2 Driver is required. 

NI WSN Related Links:

NI WSN Homepage

NI Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Starter Kit

NI LabVIEW Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Module Pioneer

Introduction to the LabVIEW Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) Module Pioneer

Environmental Monitoring at the National Instruments Pond with NI WSN

WSN Sensor Solutions

Achieve Faster Analog Input Sampling Rate with LabVIEW WSN

WSN Module Programmatic DIO and Running Average

Deploying an NI Wireless Sensor Network to Monitor Parking Garage Occupancy

Requirements

Filename: wsn_lv2009_project.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: LabVIEW Professional Development System 2009
Toolkits and Add-Ons: LabVIEW WSN Pioneer 1.0
Language(s): LabVIEW

Hardware Requirements

Hardware Model: NI 9791, NI 9792, NI WSN-3202, NI WSN-3202 (programmable), NI WSN-3212, NI WSN-3212 (programmable)
Driver: NI-WSN 1.0.2

Filename: wsn_lv2009_exe.zip

Software Requirements

Application Software: LabVIEW Professional Development System 2009
Language(s): LabVIEW

Hardware Requirements

Hardware Model: NI WSN-3202, NI WSN-3202 (programmable), NI WSN-3212, NI WSN-3212 (programmable), NI 9791, NI 9792
Driver: NI-WSN 1.0.2

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