Specifications

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4. Allows non-engineers to easily access advanced logger features through a simple, yet
powerful LCD driven user interface and P C s oftware.
This report describes in detail the design of an ultra low -power ZigBee-enabled data-
logging device targeted for agricultural and environmental monitoring. Beyond general
funding, Acclima also initially provided the market study, development tools, and code
libraries that assisted with the development of the LCD and MCU flash d rivers. All other
development described in this report constitutes the project effort. Acclima engineer David
Anderson assisted in advising the author during the generation of hardware and firmware
modules. He also coordinated the author’s work with the concurrent development of the
PC interface software and the custom enclosure development.
1.5 Scope of Impact
With the completion of this new generation of advanced data loggers with integrated
intelligent wireless network management, approaches and methods to environmental mon-
itoring that were previously unattainable now can be considered. To the fullest scope, a
multi-tiered data fusion effort can fully be realized. The benefits of this effort include early
error and automatic statistical outlier detection, local and global analysis of correlative
data, and an adjus table field of view for collaboration. One DataManager can support
multiple sensor types delivering a more complete picture of the processes being observed.
Then data from one site can readily be combined with data from one to hundreds of local
collection points. Finally, this compilation can be sub mitted to strengthen fine-grain, spec-
tral remote sensing algorithms by providing a sensor network of geospatially located sites
that can be fused with satellite data. This divers e d ataset can eventually pave the way to
truly automatic robots that can “see” and interact with its environment to till or harvest
crops completely unaided.
Another feasible application now apparent is the detailed mapping of watersheds that
feed water to many of the normally arid regions that dominate the western half of the United
States. Many water sheds have already been geologically mapped and soil construction and