Wireless Sensor Networks Utilizing the IEEE 802.15.4 Standard in an ECET Curriculum

摘要

Recently our Electrical Engineering Technology Baccalaureate Program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, was expanded to the Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) Baccalaureate Program with options in both Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) and Computer Engineering Technology (CMPET). Based upon the TAC of ABET criteria for accrediting engineering technology programs, the ECET program must satisfy the criteria for both EET and CMPET programs. Thus networking concepts need to be included in both program options. In this paper, several laboratory applications utilizing low-rate wireless personal area network (LRPAN) technology are presented. This material can be included within one of several typical courses in EET curriculums (such as a communications or microcontroller course) as well as a networking course within CMPET curriculums. The device used for the laboratory applications is the MaxStream XBee wireless module, since it is compatible with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. It uses a radio transceiver operating in the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) RF band at frequencies from 2.400GHz to 2.484GHz. The standard device has a maximum outdoor line-of-sight range of 300 feet and a maximum data throughput of 250kbps with a UART interface. The device is intended to be used in conjunction with the internal RS-232 port found in most microcontrollers and computers for applications in wireless sensor networks and remote data collection.