Distributed measurement system based on networked smart sensors with standardized interfaces

A novel distributed measurement system (DMS) for force monitoring and control of robot wrist across Internet is presented in this paper. The DMS is a typical application of networked sensors that offers a reusable and portable design architecture for Internet-based remote measurement and control. The architecture covers three key areas for developing high-level distributed measurement applications, including: standardized transducer interfacing, open network communications and implementation of Internet access. With a reference to IEEE 1451, a networked sensor prototype has been developed to serve as the lowest level of the proposed architecture. Integrated with a standardized CAN bus interface, the networked sensor can perform multi-axis force measuring and possesses self-identification capability provided by its transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS). Experiment and results of the demonstration project have proved that the architecture can facilitate interfacing smart sensors with various field buses and enable Internet access of networked sensors.