Implementation of a GPRS based remote water quality analysis instrumentation

• Presents water Chloride (Cl−), Copper (Cu++) and Nitrates (NO3−) remote analysis.
• GPRS based transmission is implemented and is functional.
• Signal processing and integration of ISE measurements.
• Three software apps allow the user to access the results (local and remote).
• Comparison with attested water quality testing procedures validates the system.

This paper presents the design, implementation and testing of an experimental GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) based integrated virtual instrumentation destined for water quality evaluation. The proposed system was developed for measurement conditions specific to Timişoara city, located in the western region of Romania, but can be easily adapted to other requirements. Individual sensors which respond to Chloride (Cl−), Copper (Cu++) and Nitrates (NO3−) are sampled by a MSP430FG4618 microcontroller. Resulting data is transmitted to a remote Web Server using the Cinterion MC55iT GSM/GPRS terminal. A software program developed in National Instruments’ LabVIEW presents analysis results and conclusions. In addition, web dissemination of water quality parameters is available by means of a WQA Map (Water Quality Analysis Map). An interesting feature of the instrumentation allows the use of a mobile device for viewing results, receiving text warnings via SMS (Short Message Service) and controlling the monitoring process. Functionality tests performed over several weeks confirm that this system was properly designed and implemented. Comparison with conventional methods of water quality analysis confirms the accuracy of the calculations obtained when operating the proposed system.