Wireless Sensor Network Projects for Engineering Students

A WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) is a spatially distributed sensor, that is used to monitor the physical conditions as well as environmental conditions such as sound, temperature, the pressure to pass their information through the network to the main place. The present networks are bi-directional, also permitting control of sensor activity. The development of these n/w’s is inspired by military applications. The applications of wireless sensor networks mainly involve in consumer and industrial such as health monitoring of a machine, control, and monitoring of the industrial process and wireless sensor networks projects. The WSN is made with hundreds and thousands of nodes, where each node is connected with single or multiple sensors. Each node includes various parts like a radio transceiver with an antenna, an electronic circuit, a microcontroller, and an energy source. This article list outs Wireless Sensor Network Projects for engineering students.

Wireless Sensor Network Projects for Engineering Students

The project work offers several opportunities for engineering students to learn important things and improve practical knowledge. Anyone aspiring to become a full-fledged engineer must require additional knowledge along with the subject knowledge.

So, an engineering student must obtain more practical knowledge through a pragmatic learning approach by means of PROJECT WORKs such as electronics projects. Thus, this article discusses some new wireless sensor networks projects and communication projects for final year engineering students in 2014- 2015.

Wireless sensor network projects include wireless sensor networks applications such as wireless SCADA, Zigbee home automation, transformer health monitoring system, and so on.

Wireless Network based Wireless SCADA

It is not possible to achieve manual control over multiple continuous processes going on in industries.  The proposed system is designed to achieve and control the multiple processes in large scale industries remotely by supervision. The SCADA is one of the great technologies in basic electronics projects which is used to monitor the remote area without human interference.

In this project, using four temperature sensors formed as wireless sensor networks projects, which are located in various places. If sensor temperature increases at the set point of the GUI, then the relay is made to switch ON and OFF the heater (a lamp load) to maintain the set temperature. In a SCADA system, different types of sensors can be used for multiple control systems

XBEE Based Remote Monitoring System

This is a simple mini project for ECE students that is designed to protect the transformer by monitoring the parameters of a generator/ transformer such as current, voltage, and temperature through the sensing devices like a current transformer, temperature sensor, and potential transformer, respectively; and, to monitor them from a remote location using Zigbee wireless communication.

Three sensors are fixed at the transmitter end to form wireless sensor network projects with a certain range of each parameter. If these parameters exceed at the fixed limits, then the transmitter sends a signal to the receiving end by the XBEE transceiver. To switch a warning load using a relay and alerts the user through a voice module.

XBEE Based Remote Monitoring of 3 Parameters on Transformer / Generator Health

This system is used to obtain the parameters like voltage, current, the temperature of a distribution transformer through the measuring devices or sensors network such as temperature sensor, potential and current transformers to transfer those values to a remote location through Zigbee wireless technology.

This is a wireless sensor networks project where the sensor network is fixed at the transmitter end with a certain range of each parameter. If these parameters exceed the fixed limits, then the transmitter sends a signal to the receiving end using the XBEE transceiver. To switch the load by the relay and displays the message on the LCD.

Medical Applications Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Nowadays, the health care system is highly complex. The proposed system is designed to provide ultimate solutions to healthcare using wireless sensor networks. This proposed system is used to monitor the patient’s health by wirelessly using RF technology.

It is a very tedious method. In this proposed system transmitting module continuously reads the patient’s body temperature through a digital temperature sensor, displays it on the LCD screen, and sends it to the microcontroller which transmits the encoded serial data over the air by RF (radio frequency) through an RF module.

Wireless Sensors Based System for Home Energy Consumption

A Wireless-sensor-network-based system is used in high energy-requiring home appliances like white goods, audio/video devices, communication equipment, air conditioning systems, heating, and cooling system, which make our homes one of the most critical areas for the impact of energy consumption in the natural environment. Zigbee home automation is a simple  mini project for ece student which can be implemented for automatic control of home appliances

Mobile and WSN based Application to Create a Farm Field Monitoring and Plant Protection for Sustainable Crop Production and Poverty Reduction

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) emerged from advancements in the areas of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technology, wireless communication, and digital electronics. WSNs devices are small in size, low cost, and require low power to work. The basic structure of WSN sensor nodes as identified is  Shown in fig

There are four main components that make up a sensor node. The parts are mainly a sensing unit, a processing unit, a transmission unit, and a power unit. Depending on the type of application, A sensor node may have additional parts such as a situation, finding system, mobilization, and a power generator.

The Sensing unit usually takes the burden of sensing and gathering sensor data and then passes data to the processing unit. The processing unit receives the sensed data and processes it according to the Master of these projects. A transmission unit connects the sensor, not with a network. The power unit supplies the power required to run a sensor node.

Military Applications Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks can be used by the military for a number of purposes such as monitoring militant activity in remote areas and Protecting the force. Being equipped with appropriate sensors these networks can enable detection of enemy movement, identification of the enemy force, and analysis of their movement and progress. The focus of this article is on the military requirements for flexible wireless sensor networks.

Based on the main networking characteristics and military use-cases, insight into specific military requirements is given in order to facilitate the reader’s understanding of the operation of these networks in the near to medium term (within the next three to eight years). The article structures the evolution of military sensor networking devices by identical-flying three generations of sensors along with their capabilities.

Wireless sensor network projects give an enormous profit to several commercial enterprises such as energy and process improvements, savings of cost, material and energy, labor effort and raises productivity. Some of the wireless sensor networks project ideas for 2015 are discussed below.

WSN based Monitoring of Temperature and Humidity of Soil using Arduino

The main purpose of this project is to design an automatic irrigation system that makes a motor pump to turn ON and OFF by sensing the moisture of the soil. The proper use of an irrigation system in the field of agriculture is very important. The main advantage of using this project is, we can reduce the human involvement

This WSN project uses a preprogrammed Arduino board to receive the i/p signal of changing the moisture condition of soil through a sensing arrangement. The project uses an Arduino board which is programmed to receive the input signal of varying moisture conditions of the soil through a sensing arrangement. This process is accomplished by using an operational amplifier which is used as a comparator. This comparator performs as an interface between the microcontroller and the sensing arrangement.

When the microcontroller takes the signal, then it produces an o/p signal to drive a relay for the switch ON the water pump. An LCD display is used to display the status of the water pump and the soil, that is interfaced to the microcontroller The sensing arrangement of this project is designed with two metallic stiff rods and the connections of these two rods are given to the control unit.

Furthermore, this project can be developed by interfacing a GSM module. So that we can send an SMS to the concerned person regarding the status of the water pump and we can also turn ON/OFF the water pump by sending an SMS.

WSN and GSM Module based Automated Irrigation System

The main concept of this irrigation system is to turn ON/OFF a motor pump by sensing the soil using WSN in the field of agriculture, The status of the soil can be known by sending an SMS using GSM module.

In the agriculture field, the use of irrigation is mandatory. By using this method we can reduce the manpower. This project is designed with a preprogrammed 8051 microcontroller, that receives the signal from the sensor arrangement.

This procedure is attained by using an operational amplifier and it acts as interface b/n the sensing device & the 8051 microcontrollers.

When the 8051 microcontroller gets this signal, it makes an output to drive a relay for operating the water pump. Using a GSM modem, it also sends an SMS to the authorized person. An LCD display is used to display the status of the water pump ON/OFF condition and the soil.

The sensing arrangement is designed with two stiff metallic rods and the connections of these rods are interfaced with the control unit. Furthermore, this project can be developed with Xbee or Bluetooth technology, so that when the water pump turns on or off, the data is sent to a mobile phone.

WSN based Monitoring of Traffic Light

In urban areas, vehicle traffic is increasing day by day so it will cause more traffic congestion and consequences on human health, environment, and economy. The traditional methods which are used to reduce the traffic are inefficient in terms of cost, performance, support & maintenance due to the increased traffic.

To overcome this problem, a WSN (Wireless Sensor Network) is an emerging technology including an effective potential. This technology has a huge added value to ITS (intelligent transportation systems).

Accident Identification System using WSN

This project is used to implement a system to detect a vehicle accident to save human life. At present, it is essential to reduce vehicle accidents by sending notification to the authorities efficiently. This project is used to implement an RTTADS (Real-Time Traffic Accident Detection System) using RFID and WSN technologies.

In this project, sensors are arranged so that it will detect the accident location of a vehicle along with the vehicle speed before the accident & the no. of the passenger’s within the vehicle. Once the sensors detect the vehicle location then it sends a signal to a monitoring station so that it will detect the vehicle location & sends an alert to the concerned person.

WSN based Monitoring of Area

Area monitoring is one of the applications of wireless sensor networks. In the monitoring of the area, a WSN is arranged where monitoring is required. In military applications, sensors are mainly used for detecting enemy interruption.

Once the sensors detect the heat or pressure, then the data is transmitted to one of the base stations, so that appropriate action can be taken. Likewise, WSNs use various sensors to notice the existence of vehicles which ranges from motorbike to cars.

WSN based Monitoring of Air Pollution

WSNs play a key role in monitoring the dangerous gases in the air. So these are used in different cities like London, Stockholm & Brisbane. As compared with wired links, these networks can take the benefits of wireless links like ad-hoc to make them more portable to test the readings in different areas.

WSN & Zigbee based Monitoring System for Patient Body

This project is used to implement a WSN (wireless sensor network) system which is used for monitoring the patient’s remotely using the Zigbee network. There are different healths parameters are monitored such as ECG, body temperature, heartbeat using different sensors.

The data which is collected from the sensors can be transmitted to the doctor or central monitoring station through the Zigbee network. All these parameters can be displayed on the PC graphically at the receiving end through LabVIEW GUI.

WSN based Intelligent Controller for Oil Wells

This project is used to design a health monitoring system for an oil well. In this project, WSN is used to monitor as well as supervising different individual controllers that are placed in oil wells. Every Zigbee controller through temperature, level & gas sensors can be monitored remotely from the central position through the Zigbee network.

Zigbee & WSN based Detection of Forest Fire

This project is designed with a controller based on solar for detecting the forest fire remotely. The arrangement of controller based on solar can be done in the forest with the help of a Zigbee network. This controller includes different sensors with Zigbee transceiver like temperature, smoke, rain, and pressure. These parameters can be monitored at the central location remotely.

WSN based Structural Monitoring

Wireless sensor networks are used to check the movement in the buildings and transportation structures like bridges, tunnels, embankments, flyovers, etc. This system will allow the engineer to monitor the structures without the need for site visits. The data can be collected usually weekly or monthly by visiting the sites. To overcome this, a WSN based structural monitoring system is implemented.

Health Monitoring of Machine using WSN

WSNs have been implemented for the CBM of machinery. Here CBM means condition-based maintenance. This system provides significant cost savings & allows innovative functionalities.  As compared with wireless, wired systems use enough sensors for installation because sensors are frequently limited through the wiring cost. Previously unreachable regions like dangerous otherwise controlled areas, mobile assets, and rotary machinery can now be reached through wireless sensors.

WSN in Agriculture

Wireless sensor networks are applicable in the agriculture field to reduce the maintenance of wiring in a difficult atmosphere. Water systems to feed the gravity can be checked through pressure transmitters so that water tank levels can be checked and water pumps can be controlled with the help of wireless devices. The usage of water can be measured & transmitted back wirelessly to a center of central control for billing. The automation of irrigation allows using more efficient water & decreases waste.

Thus, this is all about wireless sensor network projects. These are the top innovative wireless sensor networks projects and final year projects for ECE students in different application areas. We hope that you have got a better understanding of these projects. Furthermore, any doubts regarding wireless sensor networks applications, please give your feedback by commenting in the comment section below. Here is a question for you, what is Zigbee?