Data-logging specialist Signatrol has launched Spydaq, a low-cost wireless temperature and humidity monitoring system that is suitable for use in laboratories where temperature control is vital.
Spydaq allows users to deploy sensors in various locations without the restrictions and cost of hard wiring and monitor results from a PC, either locally or anywhere in the world via web access with easy-to-use software.
Signatrol is offering the hardware free of charge in return for use of the software, which has been specially developed for use with Spydaq.
At the centre of the Spydaq system is a basestation that receives data from up to 16 remote transmitters and passes it to a PC either via a Modbus RTU or by GPRS direct to the Spydaq website.
Each remote transmitter can have up to three inputs - temperature, relative humidity and universal - and sends it via a licence-free ISM radio band using a data redundancy system to ensure virtually error-free data acquisition.
Antenna diversity is another feature that is provided, which enables multiple antennas to be connected to ensure reliable radio connection from diverse areas.
Users can choose from up to 16 transmitters to be located at points for monitoring.
Types available include a range of room sensors, duct sensors, external sensors, immersion sensors, pipe-mount sensors and fridge/freezer/oven sensors, which can be combined to suit the required application.
A typical application would be around six sensors, with larger, more complex sites requiring all 16 sensors.
A selection of operating frequencies means two systems can be run concurrently side by side, providing up to 32 transmitters for even larger applications.
Spydaq's range of inputs means that by connecting to the appropriate sensor, virtually any parameter can be measured and accurately logged.
The basestation also checks locally for alarm conditions via its inbuilt audio and visual alarms.
Alarming locally means any potential trouble spots can be identified quickly and corrective action taken, often saving vulnerable goods from damage or rapid decay.
SMS alarm messages can also be automatically sent to a number of mobile phones to advise users remotely that an alarm has occurred.
Management of the Spydaq system via PC, with accurate results available online at any time, allows for accurate monitoring of temperature even from remote locations.
This is particularly suitable to multi-site operations allowing the site or operations manager to easily track temperature control at any site using real-time information rather than having to rely on paper-based readings.
