Designing a Connected WSN System/Sub-systems

The coursework requires you to design and implement a connected WSN system/sub-systems that utilises an embedded microcontroller acting as node(s) controller as well as a gateway connection to other systems/sub-systems.

As per the typical arrangement of WSN in Figure 1, you are required to include the following in your practical design:

• A master node/component with embedded microcontroller.

• At least two slave nodes, each one of them controlled by an embedded microcontroller and connected/communicating with a sensor/combination of sensors. Selection of the measurement type and relevant sensors is entirely up to the student to choose.

• At any given time, the master node should be able to request data from the sensor through the slave node. There should be a possibility to request the data/information while the sensor is sending back the data/information to the master node for its previous request. This means the system should have a bidirectional communication capability.

• A PC screen/LCD to display the output (data) from the request generated by the master from the slave.

Communication interface & protocols

The communication interface/protocols depends on devices & applications; some of them include SPI, I2C, UART, Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, etc. As described in the system design specifications the WSN should have the capability of bidirectional communication at any given time between the master and slave node.

Components for the design & ordering

You are to identify the tasks/measurements required, and select suitable components such asb microcontrollers, communication modules, sensors & inputs/outputs modules for these tasks.

Other requirements/considerations

At the minimum you solution should provide the following:

• You will be required to provide evidence of the design process undertaken. This includes:

o Overview of the system design.

o List of devices and how/why you have selected them?

o If you have identified any specific interfacing requirements, how you have addressed them.

• How you have programmed the devices and what software package you have used.

• You are also to include program design map of how it is implemented (flow and control).

Marking scheme and assessment criteria

This is an individual assignment. Detailed breakdown of the marking criteria is as follows:

A. Online Weekly Blogs

1. A recorded weekly blog of the progress submitted through CANVAS

B. Final Report

It should include the following components; each one has associated marks (as shown below):

1. Project overview

2. Devices identification and specifications

3. Full project specification

a. Input/outputs

b. Communication interface and protocols

c. How the programming code controls various devices (flow and control)

4. Detailed design of master/slave nodes and connectivity

a. Design, connectivity and communication of master node

b. Design, connectivity and communication of slave nodes

5. Test results from the system operation

6. YouTube video to demonstrate working of the system

Your work must be of good quality and meet the requirements of the coursework specification and learning outcomes stated. You must demonstrate some originality in your work and show this by applying new learningto the key issues of the coursework. There must be evidence of wider reading on the subject.

Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: categorizes, combines, compiles, creates, devises, generates, modifies, reconstructs, identifies, illustrates, outlines, synthesizes.

Your work must be comprehensive and meet all of the requirements stated by the coursework specification and learning outcomes. You must show a good understanding of the key concepts and be able to apply them to solve the problem set by the coursework. There must be enough depth to your work to provide evidence of wider reading. Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: demonstrates, changes, applies, operates, produces, predicts, shows, solves, uses, translates, comprehends, converts, generalizes.

Your work must be of a standard that meets the requirements stated by the coursework specification and learning outcomes. You must show a reasonable level of understanding of the key concepts and principles and you must have applied this knowledge to the coursework problem. There should be some evidence of wider reading. Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: comprehends, defines, describes, identifies, knows, labels, lists, matches, outlines, recalls, recognizes, reproduces, selects, states, rewrites.