Wireless sensor network based localization in industrial environments

Abstract

The use of wireless devices has greatly increased in the last decade, and it has been one of the most widely used medium of information transmission. Within the wireless devices the wireless sensor networks are the most contemporary and most commonly researched field. The work deals with the industrial use of wireless sensor networks and more precisely with monitoring and controlling industrial assembly lines. The focus of this study is localization by the use of wireless technology in the above mentioned environment. In the experiment wireless sensors are placed on the base elements of currently being assembled products. The developed system is able to specify the precise place of the product in the assembly line and record the time of localization. By the use these information the time of assembling the product can be monitored. For determining the place of the product the Received signal strength indication – RSSI has been used. The current position of the product is calculated by a neural network. The use of these sensors makes possible the measuring and recording of the influences on the product during the assembly, such as the effects of temperature, humidity, or if the product has been hit or damaged. By the use of these wireless sensor networks the quality of the assembled products can be improved and the process of assembly can be optimized.