Development of wireless sensor module and network for temperature monitoring in cold chain logistics

• Main Authors: Chen-Ming Li, Chin-Chung Nien, Jia-Liang Liao, Yu-Chee Tseng
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: IEEE 802.15 Standards; Microcontrollers; Monitoring; Temperature distribution; Wireless communication; Wireless sensor networks
• DOI: 10.1109/ICWITS.2012.6417745

In this paper, a wireless sensor module (WSM) and network used for cool box temperature monitoring in cold chain logistics is presented. The proposed WSM is implemented by integrating mainly a wireless microcontroller JENNIC 5418 based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard with a thermocouple sensing converter MAX31855. The transmitter power and sensitivity of the proposed module are 2.5 dBm and -95 dBm respectively, and the temperature range/resolution of the sensing converter is -40~125°C/0.25°C. In order to demonstrate the communication quality of the proposed WSM, the point-to-point link quality indication (LQI) has been measured in a 20-foot cargo container filled up with the watered Styrofoam boxes. Furthermore, cool box temperature monitoring and cargo container position tracking regularly at remote-end are demanded for preventing the food from perishing under transportation in cold-chain logistics. Therefore, the access point (coordinator) of the wireless sensor network integrated with the GPS and 3G communication system is considerable, and it has been developed in our project.