For my senior design project I am developing a sensor system that uses text messaging to transfer the sensor values to a server. This project has been funded by the Fairfield Osborne Preserve. Thank You Dr. Luke.
Problem Background
The field of research is continuing to grow with each new area and discovery. Every discovery brings researchers a new item or area to look at. With environmental studies there are still findings made daily and the more tools that are available to researchers, the more often these breakthroughs will occur. One of the challenges that are faced by researchers when doing studies in the wilderness is the remoteness of the investigation sight. This makes it time consuming to get to the location and perform the research. While the area may be remote, there is a good chance that it will receive cell phone reception.
According to CTIA, there are over one trillion text messages sent each year. Modern cellular technology has provided devices that use the cellular service simply to send messages. This project focuses on utilizing such devices to make a platform for sensors to transfer their values to a server where it will be displayed over the internet. Doing so will allow researchers to simply view the changes in the environment from any computer connected to the internet instead of making a trip to their research site.
Problem Statement
The goal of this project is to develop a sensor platform that will utilize SMS technology to transfer the values of the sensors to an off-site server. This server will then store and display the data over the internet. It is the goal to provide a platform that is flexible enough to work with a wide selection of environmental sensors and can be used at many sites such as the Fairfield Osborn preserve. An open protocol will be developed to facilitate the messages passed between the field system and the server and will have the necessary flexibility to be used for any sensor system utilizing text messaging. The system will be designed to only require minimal setup of the field system and will run fully automated. It will have alerting mechanisms that will be used if an error occurs on the system or if a specified event occurs (e.g. a temperature threshold is reached). It is important that the project is designed in such a way that the development can continue with other SSU students and the platform can be extended to other areas of sensor use.