Wireless Sensor Networking

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Ice Skating Rink
Problem:
An ice skating rink needs a method to measure temperature and environmental data critical to
ensuring optimal ice quality and a superior skating environment. The solution must be embedded in -
20° C ice, transmit through the ice, and operate on battery power. The system also must be linked up
with the rink’s ice making machines.

Solution:
The ice skating rink integrates an 802.15.4 wireless network comprised of individual nodes. Each node
is equipped with a temperature sensor containing an XBee-PRO 802.15.4 OEM RF embedded module.
Each node can relay data off other nodes within its range until it reaches its final destination. The
nodes are placed at different points within the ice, as well as on wind speed and humidity sensors
throughout the rink. A ConnectPort X gateway relays data to a central location; this data is combined
with the data from the ice making machines. The two-way data transfer makes it possible to link the
network with the ice making machines. With this solution, the ice rink has the information needed to
ensure optimal ice conditions and safety.

Benefits:

Consistent ice quality increases skater satisfaction

Two-way data transfer allows the machines to quickly adjust to changes in temperature, wind or
humidity
Nodes can operate up to five years on two AA batteries, reducing maintenance time and
increasing management capabilities

Products used:
XBee-PRO® 802.15.4 Modules, ConnectPort™ X

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Fitness Equipment Monitoring
Problem:
Fitness machines in health clubs periodically break down without warning, leaving clubs and their
members short of operable equipment and requiring expensive on-site visits by repair technicians. The
supplier of these machines would like to be able to monitor their operating health from a single
service operations center in order to offer its health club customers a remote service program.
 Solution:
The equipment manufacturer integrates Digi’s XBee module into its machines to provide embedded
wireless connectivity. As part of a remote service program, the manufacturer installs a ConnectPort X
gateway (ZigBee to cellular) inside the participating club. Through the gateway, the equipment
supplier is able to monitor machine health on a daily basis.

Benefits:

Equipment supplier can diagnose many common machine problems remotely and perform
predictive maintenance in advance of machine failure
Fitness club experiences far higher machine uptime rates and better member satisfaction
20% reduction in on-site visits by repair technicians

Products used:
XBee™ Modules, ConnectPort™ X

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Irrigation Control
Problem:
A golf resort is contending with ever-increasing water bills to irrigate its three 18-hole courses. Its
irrigation system over-waters shaded and low-lying areas on the courses, and under-waters the most
sun-exposed areas.

Solution:
Moisture sensors containing Digi XBee modules are installed throughout the three courses. XBee
wireless technology links each sensor in a low-power, self-healing network that allows greens keepers
and turf specialists to collect moisture readings at one central PC. Sprinklers are automatically
triggered if the sensor readings exceed preset thresholds for soil moisture content.

Benefits:

More consistent turf quality throughout the resort, with turf burn and standing water virtually
eliminated
15% reduction in overall water consumption
50% reduction in customer complaints about turf conditions and 20% increase in tee time
bookings six months after the system installation

Products used:
XBee™ Modules
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Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
Problem: A local power distribution company utilizes a dial-up AMR system for its largest commercial
customers, who purchase excess power for their own needs and for self-generation. The system is
unreliable and is not easily scalable. The company would also like to deploy technology that will
improve its compliance monitoring efforts.

Solution: Power meters and generators are brought onto a mesh network using XBee™ adapters. A
ConnectPort™ X gateway transports information from sensors on those device back to applications on
the power company's IT network.

Benefits:

Access to metering information every 15 minutes

Tampering alarms for compliance monitoring

Products used:
ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,
XBee™ XTender

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Tank Level Monitoring
Problem: A bulk materials vendor uses field sales personnel to check and record tank inventory at
customer sites, reducing sales force productivity. Inventory readings are sporadic and vulnerable to
reading/recording error.

Solution: Tank level sensors measure inventory levels. XBee™ adapters mesh-enable the sensors so
inventory data can be collected and backhauled to a central IP network using a ConnectPort™ X
gateway.

Benefits:

Sales force is no longer diverted from selling

More frequent and accurate inventory monitoring results in improved customer service

Products used:
ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,
XBee™ XTender

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 Fleet Management/Cold Chain
Problem: Refrigeration failures and unlocked door latches cause inventory loss and insurance claims;
truck component failures create unnecessary maintenance and asset utilization loss.

Solution: Sensors deployed throughout the tractor-trailer are network-enabled using ZigBee® mesh
technology. An onboard ConnectPort™ X gateway carries the mesh data traffic back to central
applications on the trucking company's IP network for monitoring.

Benefits:

Key systems and components on the vehicle can be monitored for proactive maintenance
Automated alarms alert company personnel to unauthorized incursions to the truck's cargo hold
Refrigeration failures can be identified quickly enough to save perishable inventory and avoid
insurance claims

Products used:
ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters

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Building Control
Problem: Operator of multi-site warehouse network would like centralized control of lighting systems
and the ability to remotely monitor entry/exit doors.

Solution: Ballasts on light fixtures are embedded with XBee™ modules for mesh network
connectivity. Contact closures on the entry/exit doors as well as proximity sensors are mesh-enabled
using XBee™ adapters. A Digi Watchport® USB camera connected to the ConnectPort™ X gateway's
USB port takes a video image of the area around the entry/exit door when the proximity sensor is
triggered. The gateway houses an embedded cellular module that carries data from all devices on the
mesh network back to facility management applications running on the company's IP network.

Benefits:

Lighting control manifests downloaded to the ConnectPort X optimize light utilization for each
facility
Automatic dimming and zone controls based on occupancy and available daylight drive lower
energy consumption and electricity costs
Remote monitoring of facility access provides theft deterrent

Products used:
ConnectPort™ X, XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules,
Watchport® Cameras, Watchport® Sensors
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Remote Monitoring of Rodent Traps
Problem: Rodent control is a problem that plagues many businesses and can be a major safety
hazard in enterprise applications. In large scale locations, such as a factory or warehouse, rodent
traps are placed strategically at points throughout the building. The downside of traditional rodent
control is that managers must spend time and money for personnel to manually check and empty the
traps.

Solution: A rodent control system manufacturer equipped a new line of traps with XBee-PRO™
embedded RF modules. The modules wirelessly communicate with XBee-PRO RF adapters at remote
monitoring station PCs, notifying facility managers when the traps are full.

Benefits:

Wireless remote monitoring of real-time activity on rodent traps

Increased efficiency and reduced labor costs

Products used:
XBee™ Adapters, XBee™ Modules

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Agricultural Automation
Problem: A poultry producer operates several farms throughout the country. Feeding, drinking,
heating, cooling and ventilation systems are monitored and maintained by a field service team that
visits each farm on weekly basis. Immediate service needs on these systems are called in by the
farm's manager upon which the company deploys a service technician to perform the repair. Without
knowing the exact nature of the problem, technicians sometimes arrive without the necessary
replacement parts to get the systems back up and running. In addition, response times can be slow
due to farms being in rural locations. The company would like to remotely monitor these whole house
systems in order to diagnose the nature of failures before dispatching a technician and to perform
predictive failure analysis.

Solution: The company uses Digi's XBee™ adapters to connect these whole house systems to its
corporate IP network where data can be monitored centrally. The data is transported from the farm to
the company's primary IP network over a cellular connection using Digi's ConnectPort™ X gateway.

Benefits:
Visibility to device and system failures before they occur
Higher first-visit repair rates since diagnosis happens before field techs arrive onsite
Improved equipment uptime, consistently optimal environmental conditions for growth, and
better production yield