Evaluation of ZigBee modules for sensor networks

Abstract: Controlling the delicate environment in historical buildings is often problematic. The existing systems often require an extensive installation procedure, often including the need to modify the environment with for example cables. In these environments a wireless sensor system would be preferred. Therefore in collaboration with the University of Gotland and the Swedish Energy Agency, the University of Linköping has started a project to develop a wireless sensor system based on the newly developed Low Rate Wireless Personal Area Network (LR-WPAN) standard ZigBee. ZigBee hardware and software have been developed with the intended deployment at Skokloster castle. This thesis covers the evaluation of these ZigBee sensor modules concerning power consumption and maximum range. After establishing a set of test methods that can be reused in future work on these types of systems, the measurements were planned and executed. The result shows that the power consumption is very small and that the range is moderate and needs further investigation. It also shows that the developed sensor network works in the intended environment and with the optimized duty cycle requirements the battery lifetime can be 10 years.