High temporal accuracy for extensive sensor networks

Abstract

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has developed a versatile, low power, and networked sensor interface design suitable for use with a wide range of sensors. The sensor interfaces consist of: 1) core hardware and software that is the same for any sensor and 2) sensor specific hardware and software. The core software provides basic communications routines and manages a simple file operating system. These files constitute the software for interfacing and control of the hardware for specific sensors. The whole system is implemented on the low power Texas Instruments MSP430 series of microcontrollers and results in a consistent interface to a data logging or network control s..