Integrated hardware interfaces for modular sensor networks

摘要

Sensor networks have reached a great relevance during the last years. The idea is to use a large number of nodes measuring different physical parameters in several environments, which implies different research challenges (low power consumption, communication protocols, platform hardware design, etc). There is a tendency to use modular hardware nodes in order to make easier rapid prototyping as well as to be able to redesign faster and reuse part of the hardware modules. One of the main obstacles for rapid prototyping is that sensors present heterogeneous interfaces. In this paper, a VHDL library for sensors/actuators interfaces is proposed. The purpose is to have a set of different sensor interfaces that include the most common in the sensors/actuators world, enabling the rapid connection to a new sensor/actuator. Moreover, the concept presented here may be used for new interfaces that can be easily developed. The VHDL implementation is independent of the final platform (any FPGA or ASIC) in order to minimize redesign effort and make easier rapid prototyping. The interfaces are installed in a UPM platform for sensor networks.