Deeter Electronics adds “Router” to Extend Range of Industrial Wireless Sensor System

The new Wireless Router may be added to a Deeter Wireless Sensor System to significantly increase the range of the wireless communication between sensors and a Base Station. Deeter Wireless Routers may also be used to improve communications reliability.

A basic Deeter Wireless Sensor System is comprised of a Base Station and a remote sensor node, either a general purpose Deeter Sender or self contained Liquid Vertical Continuous Sensor (LVCS-RF) probe. The maximum range between these, in ideal conditions, can exceed 1Km. However in many industrial environments the signal will be attenuated by obstructions and fading may result from multiple signal paths caused by reflections. These effects reduce the quality of the communications link and the achievable range. Adding a Deeter Wireless Router to the system extends the effective range and improves signal quality.

In use the Wireless Router should be positioned midway between the remote probe or sender and Base Station, possibly offset in order to avoid obstructions that might cause interference. Up to four Routers may be used in a single system with data being retransmitted a number of times before reaching the Base Station. This will greatly extend the transmission range and reliability.

The use of multiple Routers allows the wireless network to automatically establish the most effective signal route between probe and Base Station at turn-on. Should this signal path become interrupted for any reason the Router network will re-establish the most efficient and reliable signal path. In this mode the Routers are operating as a self-healing wireless mesh network offering maximum signal reliability.

The Deeter Wireless Router must be permanently powered-up to relay messages. Any message sent from a base station to a “sleeping” battery powered remote node or sensor will wait at the last Router until the sensor wakes up and polls for data.

The Deeter Wireless Sensor system uses the internationally recognised IEEE 802.15.4 protocol in the 2.4GHz ISM radio band allowing users to install approved devices with no licensing requirements. It operates on one of 16 radio frequency channels available allowing several wireless sensor networks to share the same wireless spectrum without interference.

The Deeter Wireless Router is housed in an ABS enclosure with an external antenna. Power is provided by an external 5VDC mains wall mounted adapter connected via cable glands. An optional 3m extension lead and bracket are available for mounting the antenna in a position more favourable to wireless communication should the need arise.

Peter Whiteaker, Managing Director of Deeter Electronics, comments; ”Our new Wireless Router is the final piece in our class leading wireless sensor system. Adding one or a number of Routers to a measurement system not only extends the communications range but can greatly improve the reliability of the transmitted data signal. We can now offer our customers a complete, simple to operate, low cost wireless sensor system which provides a very viable alternative to conventional control and instrumentation systems.”

The Deeter Group product range includes level sensors, industrial weighing equipment, reed and proximity switches, security switches, termination assemblies, litz and magnetic wire and solar power systems. For more information on the Deeter Electronics range of wireless sensing products call +44 (0)1494 566046 or visit www.deeter.co.uk