WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK FOR ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE READING USING XBEE AND PYTHON WITH SOLAR POWERED REMOTE NODE BATTERY MONITORING

Abstract

In this era of science and technology, weather forecasting and monitoring has seen several technological developments, because of its tremendous benefits in human’s everyday life. These technological developments were necessary due to the challenges faced in conventional weather forecasting systems such as, inaccurate predictions and expensive equipment. The authors of this paper after analyzing these problems have designed a low-cost Portable Wireless Weather monitoring system using an Arduino microcontroller and Xbee radios. To calculate weather variables such as barometric pressure and temperature, sensors are integrated with the, implemented Weather Monitoring System. The developed system includes some capabilities, such as a graphical interface that receives, sensed data available through the base station (PC or laptop equipped with Xbee radios), which is accomplished by seamless contact between the base station and the remote nodes (Arduino equipped with sensor and Xbee radios). In addition, another feature is also introduced in this paper to control the remote node's energy consumption. To introduce an inexpensive weather monitoring system, the weather monitoring system is powered using a solar panel with a Power Supply Unit. This power supply unit is connected to the rechargeable battery later connected to the Arduino (remote node). The PSU enables the battery to shut-down at a certain interval of time, which drastically reduces the overall power consumption of the weather monitoring system.