The new data transmission system developed by Agisco and based on the W-PAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) protocol reads and acquires different types of electrical signals such as current, voltage, strain-gauges, temperature, resistance, and many more. The system consists of a central unit called a master which is kept in permanent operational mode, and up to 256 peripheral stations (slaves) that transmit data from the connected gauges in real time. Slaves may be switched on and contacted at pre-set intervals so as to cut energy consumption drastically and obtain significantly long operating time - even several years - when battery powered. Of course operating time is strictly dependent upon the mode and frequency of acquisition. This new device is extremely versatile and may work in any environmental condition especially when the monitoring area is significantly wide or where cables for data transmission are difficult to lay. Connections are made through free-band frequencies radio waves being 868MHz or 2.4GHz up to 80km (16 in Italy) - line of sight range, and up to 500 - urban range. Slaves can also be used as repeaters in mesh networks so to amplify the radio signal significantly. RADIO LINK OPERATING METHODS Each module, either master or slave, is made up of not just the thoroughgoing transmitter, but also a microprocessor with 4 inputs for analogical signals, 4 inputs for digital signals and 4 digital outputs to switch on and off the power supply to the gauges. Power is supplied either by the master itself or by an external electricity main. The unit is equipped with a choice of USB, RS422, RS-232 interfaces. These communication ports allow connection of each module to several supplementary Agisco’s acquisition units so as to have a larger number of channels and suit the larger number of sensor types. The overall system can be managed by a personal computer or an embedded PC, a UMTS modem, or a combination of PC and modem for remote connection. MATERIALS Casings are made in different materials to best suit the environmental conditions of the instrumentation emplacement. Casing materials range from polyester with high fireproof characteristics for an environment with elevated fire and/or explosion risks, fibreglass, metal and even polypropylene for perfect waterproofing and resistance against atmospheric bodies.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS W-PAN RADIO LINK Input/ Output 4 analogical input channels 4 digital input channels Supply switches 4 digital output on/off switches to the sensors Voltage, current, temperature (PT100), potentiometers , straingauges, thermistors, compensated load cells 10-bit resolution; possibility to connect additional boards with 18-bit resolution 16KBytes flash. 256 bytes non-volatile fixed EPROM built-in the microprocessor for system operating parameters Acquisition intervals To be set: range from 320ms up to 3 weeks External communication ports Internal communication ports Operating...