Development of a Wireless Pressure Transmitter with Diagnostics

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0 require new intelligent sensor designs with enhanced functionality, including local diagnostics. In previous work, we have experimentally investigated an important fault mode of a commercial pressure sensor, working in partnership with the sensor manufacturer who has provided modified sensors with calibrated levels of the fault condition. We have further developed simple signal processing techniques to detect the fault condition, based on a low cost noise analysis. In the current paper, we describe the development of a prototype wireless pressure transmitter. This transmitter monitors the analogue output of the pressure sensor, and applies the diagnostic procedures in real time. The resulting pressure measurement in engineering units, together with diagnostic information, are both communicated wirelessly to a receiving system.