Structural Health Monitoring Using Smart Sensors - ideals ...
Structural Health Monitoring Using Smart Sensors - ideals ...
Structural Health Monitoring Using Smart Sensors - ideals ...
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Manager node<br />
Cluster head node<br />
Leaf node<br />
Base station<br />
Manager node<br />
Cluster head node<br />
Leaf node<br />
Base station<br />
(a)<br />
(b)<br />
Figure 3.1. SHM system architecture: Different roles are assigned to nodes in (a) and (b).<br />
In terms of functionality, smart sensor nodes in the proposed system are differentiated<br />
as follows: the base station, the manager node, cluster heads, and leaf nodes. All of the<br />
sensors deployed on a structure, in principle, work as leaf nodes. Leaf nodes receive<br />
commands from the other nodes and perform preprogrammed tasks such as sensing, data<br />
processing, and acknowledgment. A node in a local sensor community is assigned as a<br />
cluster head and coordinates most of the communication and data processing in the<br />
community. In addition to tasks inside the community, the cluster head communicates<br />
with the cluster heads of the neighboring communities to exchange information. One of<br />
the cluster heads also functions as the manager node. When intracluster RF<br />
communication spans multiple clusters, the manager deals with time sharing among<br />
clusters to avoid RF interference. The manager also exchanges packets with the leaf nodes<br />
to manage operations in which all of the leaf nodes participate; sensing that is triggered by<br />
the manager sensor is an example. The base station node is the gateway between smart<br />
sensor networks and the PC. The PC with a user interface sends commands and<br />
parameters to smart sensor networks via the base station. The PC also receives data and<br />
calculation results from the base station. While the base station can communicate with any<br />
node in direct communication range, most communication involving the base station is<br />
routed through the manager or cluster heads with the exception being transmission of a<br />
large amount of data or calculation results from leaf nodes to the PC for debugging<br />
purposes. Thus, smart sensors nodes are functionally differentiated into four categories<br />
(see Figure 3.1).<br />
This system architecture can be compared with tiered networks to clarify its<br />
characteristics. A tiered network assumes ample hardware resources at the upper level<br />
nodes. By reducing the constraints on hardware (i.e., power source, RAM space, flash<br />
memory space, radio bandwidth, etc.), a tiered network aims to implement more<br />
functionality on the network easily. However, such an assumption is not necessarily the<br />
case. When smart sensors are installed on a long suspension bridge, there needs to be<br />
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