Deploying a low energy power model within data loggers and sensors for the remote monitoring of assets

Arrowvale Electronics, in partnership with the University of Birmingham have developed an energy management utility for usage in the deployment of remote energy harvesting data loggers, this utility allows for application specific energy management configurations. This model uses information about the types of harvested energy available, hardware configuration and functional capabilities to firstly provide an estimated feasibility of deployment. This information is then used to develop an initial configuration file for the hardware, the utility can then use data collected by physical hardware to fine-tune the configuration to its operating environment. This allows each piece of hardware to adapt its functionality to its surroundings. Detailed are two case studies of where the utility has been used. This utility has so far been integrated into a trackside 'Energy Harvesting Data Logger' designed for applications such as embankment slippage monitoring, water levels or orientation of temporary speed restriction board. In this instance, data is fed back into Network Rail's intelligent infrastructure system. This system is designed to allow for rapid deployment and remote configuration of the loggers. Additionally the utility has been incorporated into a vehicle based system, forming the backbone of Arrowvale Electronics wireless remote condition monitoring product range. These energy harvested sensors enable to remote monitoring of train borne systems from bearings to door operation and from sanding systems to status lamp monitoring. Each application has been developed and tuned using the utility to determine which energy harvesting source is most applicable and how best to operate wireless connectivity.