Wireless temperature data logging system to wirelessly log the temperature of refrigerators, freezers and other laboratory equipment was recently installed at the Nasa Johnson Space Center in Houston
Wired data loggers and chart recorders were evaluated, but only a wireless data logging system was able to meet the Nasa criteria of flexibility, scalability and ease of use.
This was a high priority project for Nasa to protect the historical and on-going bioastronautics research materials stored in numerous freezers throughout the Nasa complex.
Over 200 wireless sensors were installed throughout five buildings to monitor all types of laboratory equipment, including 44 ultra low temperature freezers.
The compact sensors can be placed anywhere inside a refrigerator, freezer, or incubator, and with the door tightly shut, the sensor can transmit the data to a single database hosted at the main server.
Many of the equipment are frequently moved, and the wireless sensors can simply stay inside the units.
Any user with a password can access this data from any computer with a browser, providing real time status of every equipment anywhere in the Nasa complex.
The system immediately sends an email and text messages to a cell phone 24/7 if the temperature of any of the equipment violates the specified time and temperature thresholds.
Wyle Laboratories, the prime contractor for Nasa, conducted an extensive search and concluded that a centralised wireless data logging system was the best solution.
Wireless signal interference was a major concern, but the 900MHz frequency hopping communication protocol was approved for non-interference to deploy in the buildings surrounding the very sensitive Mission Control.
Humidity, CO2, motion and other sensors will soon be added to the system, allowing Nasa to become even more automated in its documentation.
