posted on 2017-09-01, 15:05authored byZhaozhao Tang, Wenyan Wu, Jinliang Gao
The conventional methods in monitoring water distribution system require batteries as power supply for sensor nodes. These methods are unreliable because the risk of damaging batteries is high especially in harsh environment. Wireless passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors do not need direct power supply like batteries for the sensor nodes. In this research, a feasibility study on water temperature and pressure sensing by using wireless passive SAW technology was undertaken. A wireless passive SAW temperature and pressure delay line sensor was adapted in a designed framework which can simulate water temperature and pressure changes in the pipeline. The experimental results show that wireless passive SAW sensor worked properly in this designed framework. There is only slight attenuation on response signals in the framework compared to the open-air environment. The related phase delays of the response signals depend linearly on the temperature (pressure) when the pressure (temperature) keeps constant, which meet the theoretical analysis of the sensor node design.