Several industries use wireless sensors, which can monitor chemical processes or equipment activity and then transmit the data over a wireless network. Still, many facilities that could benefit from the use of wireless sensors must continue to use a wired network instead, because the reliability, speed and security of the current generation of wireless sensors do not meet their needs.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River National Laboratory and U.S. automakers now have teamed up to develop a new high-performance platform for these sensors that not only serves the industry's needs, but also meets the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration's requirements for security and reliability for use in its facilities.
SRNL has entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the United States Council for Automotive Research LLC (USCAR), the collaborative automotive technology organization for Chrysler Group LLC, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation. The purpose of the collaboration is to develop a new platform for short range wireless sensors networks that meets the NNSA requirements, and can also be adopted as the industry standard.
Under the agreement, SRNL will develop designs and specifications for the new wireless hardware, then engage a qualified wireless manufacturer to make a prototype, which the partners will test and validate. The ultimate goal of the agreement is to produce a standard for wireless sensor platforms that can be adopted by the International Society of Automation, a global instrumentation, systems and automation standards body.
"As partners with SRNL in this endeavor, we look forward to creating an industry standard for wireless sensor platforms that meets the needs of both industry and government and enables significant cost savings for both," said Don Walkowicz, USCAR executive director. "Traditionally, collaborations between the U.S. automakers and U.S. gove
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| Contact: Angeline French angeline.french@srnl.doe.gov 803-725-2854 DOE/Savannah River National Laboratory Source:Eurekalert |