Ethernet and PC-Based Experiments on Barometric Altimetry Using MEMS in a Wireless Sensor Network

摘要

This paper presents a training framework that applies to Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) technology. Recommendations are in line with a prototype educational platform along with an innovative set of experiments for a creative training on barometric altimetry. The proposed platform relies on a wireless sensor network system of Ethernet as well as PC-based (i.e., LabVIEW) user interface for ambient air pressure acquisition. The web user interface renders feasible the implementation of a single setup per class, while also minimizes students' occupation on software and hardware configuration activities; hence, students are concentrated on the problem solving process. The LabVIEW controlled interface advocates tutor-demonstration by means of real-time graphical monitoring of the measurement procedure. The wireless system feature provides flexibility in experimentation, allowing the examination of particular sensor characteristics (related to the design of a MEMS system) that regularly require an exceptionally expensive apparatus. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.