CSIRO commercialises WSN system

In an Australian first, an integrated field-based wireless sensor network (WSN) system has been developed and commercialised that enables the real-time collection of data from large areas.

Developed in collaboration by the CSIRO and Tasmanian-based company, Datacall Telemetry, the Fleck Sensor Network has been trialled in three of the CSIRO's flagship research areas since 2003.

Based on wireless mesh networking principles, the Fleck WSN gathers information in the field and delivers it to a server using a gateway to the 3G network and the internet. This allows monitoring, alarm and control flexibility via mobile phone or internet connection.

“What makes the solar-powered Fleck Sensor Network unique is the networks’ ability to pass data at distances up to 700 m from one node to another, automatically determining the most efficient route to and from the Datacall Gateway,” said Datacall Telemetry’s group sales manager Damien Virieux.

The system is suitable for monitoring and control projects in agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing, mining, construction and environmental management.

Fleck is designed to tap in to the burgeoning WSN market, forecast to grow to $5.3 billion worldwide by 2010.