Force Sensor Wireless Solution- Academic Project

In summary: Interesting, but how many key rollover do most keyboards have? They need at least 3-key rollover for Ctrl-Alt-Delete, but that may be all that they support...Ah, it looks like some "high-end" keyboards do support n-key rollover. But I doubt that the simple wireless ones do.
  • #1
ForceSensor
2
0
Hi friends,

I'm an outsider with a management science background looking for a solution into a technical matter I can't resolve by scouring the net. I am working on an academic project that will allow me to track multiple pressure or force points and have that information transmitted wirelessly to my computer in a real cost-effective scalable way.

For example, there are 100 locations and I want to implant a mini sensor underneath each one (say underneath the carpet). I'm not concerned with the impact having to hit the sensor directly. I just care about if the specific point is occupied or not occupied--if it could determine the weight that would be good too, but mainly I'm just concerned about the occupied vs. not occupied status.

I have seen these two following products that look promising:
http://www.futek.com/product.aspx?t=...at=fp&m=ffp350
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1131.

These products seem pricey, especially the first one. The second product only seems to be analog and USB. There's also this http://www.loadstarsensors.com/vmchk...-software.html , which fits the criteria for what would probably work but is again too pricey.

Any ideas on how I could implement this or other resources I could use? The wireless requirement is integral. I can't really find any overseas vendors either.

Thank you,

ForceSensor
 
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  • #2
ForceSensor said:
Hi friends,

I'm an outsider with a management science background looking for a solution into a technical matter I can't resolve by scouring the net. I am working on an academic project that will allow me to track multiple pressure or force points and have that information transmitted wirelessly to my computer in a real cost-effective scalable way.

For example, there are 100 locations and I want to implant a mini sensor underneath each one (say underneath the carpet). I'm not concerned with the impact having to hit the sensor directly. I just care about if the specific point is occupied or not occupied--if it could determine the weight that would be good too, but mainly I'm just concerned about the occupied vs. not occupied status.

I have seen these two following products that look promising:
http://www.futek.com/product.aspx?t=...at=fp&m=ffp350
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1131.

These products seem pricey, especially the first one. The second product only seems to be analog and USB. There's also this http://www.loadstarsensors.com/vmchk...-software.html , which fits the criteria for what would probably work but is again too pricey.

Any ideas on how I could implement this or other resources I could use? The wireless requirement is integral. I can't really find any overseas vendors either.

Thank you,

ForceSensor

Welcome to the PF.

(BTW, your first link didn't work for me -- search returned 0 results)

One possibility would be Cypress' Wireless USB chips/transceivers:

http://www.cypress.com/?id=10&source=home_products

I think you would need to do a small PCB and antenna using their chip/transceiver technology, but it should be a pretty simple PCB.

How are you planning on powering these wireless modules?
 
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  • #3
There are two ways you could design this. You could have a separate radio link for each sensor, or all the sensors wired to a single radio link.

The choice of on/off sensors (basically just switches, as used in simple home security systems) or something that can measure the load or pressure will make a big difference to the system cost.

If there is no problem about "wires under the carpet" it would be quite feasible to wire up literally hundreds of sensors to a single radio transmitting circuit, that scanned all the sensors in quick sucession (i.e. many scans of all the sensors each second, if you need that sort of speed) with a wireless link to your laptop. You might not find a ready-built system that will do that (except possibly a large scale intruder-detection system) but it wouldn't be hard to design and build the scanning and data collection part using a microcontroller, and interface it to a ready-built radio data link module.

EDIT - a "lateral thought" just occurred to me. What it you took a standard PC wireless keyboard, and replaced each key switch with one of your sensors...?
 
  • #4
AlephZero said:
EDIT - a "lateral thought" just occurred to me. What it you took a standard PC wireless keyboard, and replaced each key switch with one of your sensors...?

Interesting, but how many key rollover do most keyboards have? They need at least 3-key rollover for Ctrl-Alt-Delete, but that may be all that they support...

Ah, it looks like some "high-end" keyboards do support n-key rollover. But I doubt that the simple wireless ones do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollover_(key )

I could be wrong about that, though. Still a clever idea. :smile:
 
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  • #5
berkeman said:
Interesting, but how many key rollover do most keyboards have? They need at least 3-key rollover for Ctrl-Alt-Delete, but that may be all that they support...

Ah, it looks like some "high-end" keyboards do support n-key rollover. But I doubt that the simple wireless ones do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollover_(key )

I could be wrong about that, though. Still a clever idea. :smile:

The keyboard is a brilliant cost-effective idea! I'm impressed by the quality of responses here. I haven't thought of a way to power the modules. It would have to be some long duration yet small battery source, hoping to keep the devices as low powered as possible.

Another issue with the keyboard is that the wireless range is limited, if I want to monitor these devices remotely. I would need a range greater than 50 feet. Looks like the CyFi low power RF only goes to about 33 feet. Is bouncing the signal off multiple routers feasible?

I noticed this idea: http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/14/how-to-extend-the-range-of-a-wireless-keyboard-with-a-wifi-anten/

Seems pretty clunky for what we're going for here.
 
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  • #6
I'm getting a picture of an "exercise wheel" for couch potatoes here. You get a room-sized PC keyboard that looks like a carpet, and you type by jumping from key to key. Hey, I just reinvented http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archy_and_Mehitabel

Maybe I should get Nintendo to market this for the next generation of WII ...
 
  • #7
Sounds like a great idea to me. Doing [shift] character or [ctrl] character may inspire laughing fits among co-workers though.
 
  • #8
Hello,
You might want to get intounch with Deeter Engineering http://www.deeter.co.uk they do a Wireless sensor system that works with any sensor.
 

FAQ: Force Sensor Wireless Solution- Academic Project

What is a force sensor wireless solution?

A force sensor wireless solution is a device that uses wireless technology to measure and transmit data related to forces, such as pressure, tension, and compression. It typically consists of a force sensor, a wireless transmitter, and a receiver. This technology is commonly used in academic projects to study and analyze various forces in different settings.

How does a force sensor wireless solution work?

The force sensor in this solution measures the applied force and converts it into an electrical signal. This signal is then transmitted wirelessly to a receiver, which collects the data and sends it to a computer or other device for analysis. The wireless technology eliminates the need for physical connections, making it more convenient and versatile for use in various environments.

What are the benefits of using a force sensor wireless solution in an academic project?

There are several benefits to using a force sensor wireless solution in an academic project. Firstly, it allows for remote data collection, making it suitable for experiments in hazardous or inaccessible locations. It also provides accurate and real-time data, making it useful for studying dynamic forces. Additionally, the wireless aspect eliminates the need for wires and cables, reducing the risk of interference and making it more convenient to use in different settings.

What are some potential applications of a force sensor wireless solution in academic projects?

A force sensor wireless solution can be used in a wide range of academic projects, such as studying the forces involved in sports movements, analyzing the effects of different forces on structures, and measuring the forces exerted by living organisms. It can also be used in conjunction with other sensors to gather more comprehensive data and insights.

Are there any limitations to using a force sensor wireless solution in academic projects?

While a force sensor wireless solution offers many benefits, there are also some limitations to consider. The accuracy of the data collected may be affected by factors such as signal interference and the distance between the sensor and the receiver. Additionally, the cost of the equipment may be a barrier for some academic projects. However, with proper calibration and careful consideration of these limitations, a force sensor wireless solution can still be a valuable tool for academic research.

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