Wireless PDA Data Acquisition.

November 27, 2006 - Handheld IntelliCheck(TM) PDA is used to take product temperature readings as well as manage and deploy HACCP inspection programs for Food Service Industry. System includes integrated corrective action system that ensures operators fix problems as soon as they are detected. Bluetooth-enabled IntelliProbe(TM) Wireless Temperature Probe features iButton(TM) reader at base for reading iButton data tags. All data is automatically uploaded to central server.

The LMS SCADAS Recorder offers three solutions in a single package. First, for quick on-the-go data acquisition, the LMS SCADAS Recorder is a practical standalone data recorder that operates without a PC connection thanks to the embedded data acquisition engine and its handy CompactFlash data storage card. Secondly, with a wireless PDA connection, it acts as an enhanced smart data recorder for on-the-spot data monitoring and measurement validation. Finally, the embedded UTP interface lets the LMS SCADAS Recorder operate as a PC front-end system for in-field and laboratory applications.

The proof-of-concept PDA solution developed as part of this research involves a client interface running on a ruggedized PalmOS PDA. The client software is written in a platform-independent, constrained version of Java designed to run on small devices. A Bridge, also written in Java, connects to Army radios via a serial port and to the client via Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b wireless local area network (LAN) technology. Messaging between the Bridge and the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) emulator is accomplished using eXtensible Markup Language (XML) messages, another open-system, platform-independent technology. A partially functional proof-of-concept was successfully completed, demonstrating the efficacy of this platform-independent approach for Army tactical systems.

The system represents an efficient platform for integrated data acquisition and processing specially targeted for first response. The test-bed flexibility allows for straightforward integration of devices/applications handling new data type as required by the user.

Data services are increasingly delivered over wireless medium. Users would be automatically connected to either one of these modes to maximize their performance in terms of speed, cost, etc. By localizing user traffic, the overall system throughput can be substantially increased.

IntelliCheck(TM) is designed to eliminate cumbersome form-based data collection. No more filling out checklist by hand and stuffing them into a filing cabinet. With this Intelli PDA you simply press a single button and let the system do the rest. All the data is automatically uploaded to the central server.

Temperature readings are done through the IntelliProbe(TM), E-Control Systems new Bluetooth Wireless Temperature Probe , the only completely wireless temperature logging solution on the market. No need to worry about dangling wires into food or burning wires on the stove. The IntelliProbe(TM) features an iButton(TM) reader at its base for reading iButton(TM) data tags. Coin sized buttons can be easily installed at any inspection station. Operators checking that station simply touch the base of the IntelliProbe(TM) to the button which automatically brings up that station's checklist or schedule.

IntelliCheck(TM) PDA is designed to work in conjunction with E-Control Systems IntelliSense(TM) family of wireless temperature monitoring solutions, which are low cost and provide all the hardware and software elements needed to monitor equipment and processes in the foodservice industry. Temperature monitoring and other data is collected through Wireless Temperature Sensor Units (IntelliSensor(TM)), transmitted wirelessly to an IntelliGate(TM) Unit that consolidates, encrypts and sends the data over Ethernet or Wireless Ethernet (WiFi) networks. Data can then be viewed with a standard web browser anywhere over the web. Abnormal conditions (alerts) generated by the system are sent over e-mail, cell phones, or pagers.

MD on Tap is an application for PDAs that retrieves Medline citations directly from the PDA through a wireless connection to the Internet. This program is developed for mobile health care professionals who seek medical information when away from their desktop computers.

The WebFOCUS system quickly demonstrated that it could make sense of the data that the city collected. But Information Builders went well beyond the original scope of the project by advising city planners to make smart decisions about the future. Fred Lee, Information Builders' Technical Manager in nearby Vancouver, first raised the possibility of linking the data to handheld devices, such as PalmPilots, so that managers could take the data with them or access it over wireless networks. That, in turn, led to the vision of any city official or public works service crew having comprehensive data about the city's public works system, whether they were sitting in council chambers during a budget meeting or in a truck responding to a midnight alert in the dead of winter.

The Bluetooth card could be the ideal wireless solution for many users, allowing the handheld to connect to the Internet via any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. An upcoming combination mobile phone-PDA from Handspring, called Treo, also checks email via this method, while Palm's wireless PDA is expected to offer always-on email.

The overall architecture of the PDA system is shown in Figure 1. The Field Artillery FO will input data into a ruggedized PDA. When the FO hits the send button, the call for fire is submitted to the Bridge via an HTTP Get message sent to the Tomcat Java server. The Java servlet is launched to answer the query, and it reads the message sent in the Get message. This message is in a proprietary format that consists of the various data fields concatenated together. Communication between the PDA and the Bridge is done, in this prototype system, using IEEE 802.11b peer-to-peer, wireless networking.

This means that researchers can check the signal integrity on the PDA screen and store the entire true waveform of the signals on both the PDA and the base station for later offline analysis. To facilitate offline analysis, researchers can synchronize experiments with data because the system allows them to place and store markers with the data.

In addition to data acquisition products, the LabVIEW PDA Module also supports the National Instruments PCMCIA-4050 digital multimeter (DMM) card. Using this DMM card, you can build customized handheld digital multimeters. These cards are particularly useful because with LabVIEW, you can store data locally on the PDA and record results from each DMM use, customize the appearance of the user interface, and display data as a graph or other custom display. In addition, you can use the wireless functionality of many PDAs to send and receive data directly from your handheld DMM to a remote networked computer or other networked instrumentation.

Being portable and battery supplied, the system is not connected to the 230 V power grid in any way. The signal conditioning unit provides further insulation and prevents participants from being exposed to electrical currents. The signal is then fed to the CF-6004. This card is set up to scan its analog inputs at 200 S/s, at 14 bits, which is sufficiently fast and accurate for all psychophysiological measurements of interest.

When you use the LabVIEW PDA Module with industrial handheld devices and touch-panel displays, you can easily create custom test applications for harsh environments and small spaces. The addition of hardware to your portable test system, such as the NI CF-6004 data acquisition device, further extends your applications to include portable data acquisition, DMM, CAN, and even wireless functionality. This connectivity makes it practical to build a variety of previously complex applications, including remote system monitoring, industrial inspection, and in-vehicle diagnostics.

Includes unlimited text, picture, and video messages between AT&T's wireless customers sent or received while on the AT&T owned wireless network. Instant Messages and any other usage not expressly included herein will be debited from your package's messaging allowance. A subscription to one of the current Message Packages, MEdia Bundles or Max Bundles is required.

A CrossNet hub can be any Bluetooth-enabled device for DA or analysis. The hub downloads data including the TEDS information from multiple nodes. Application software running on the host system (hub) displays the data in a user-defined format, or it links the data to a number of Windows-based DA and control software packages (e.g., LabVIEW or Excel). Application software for PC environments and PDAs is available.

Hubs can range in complexity from single computers or handheld devices logging/ displaying data to Web servers using the TCP/IP Internet communications protocol for wide area networking. Hubs can also use the TCP/IP protocol to connect with other wired or wireless network architectures, such as Ethernet and LonWorks. Crossbow is developing a family of network gateways, which allow multiple nodes to be connected to the Internet or other network architectures.