Ethernet and PC-based experiments on barometric altimetry using MEMS in a wireless sensor network

• Published in: Computer applications in engineering education Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 443 - 455
• Main Authors: Bolanakis, Dimosthenis E., Kotsis, Konstantinos T., Laopoulos, Theodore
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2016
• Subjects: Altimeters; Altimetry; Barometers; barometric altimetry; Ethernet; mems sensors; Platforms; Remote sensors; Training; Wireless networks; wireless sensor network system
• ISSN: 1061-3773; 1099-0542
• DOI: 10.1002/cae.21722

ABSTRACT 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. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:443–455, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21722