Virtualizing Physical Measurements Using Wireless Sensor Technology

Virtualizing physical measurements using wireless sensor technology enables a host of new solution choices. Wireless sensors are smart devices that realize measurements without using external data acquisition (DAQ) equipment or external power sources. The hardware needed to directly digitize low-level signals resides within each sensor. The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) found in a highly integrated microcontroller is typically accompanied by a multiplexer (MUX) and programmable gain amplifier (PGA). Further inclusion of other mixed-signal peripherals such as comparators and digital-to-analog converters (DAC) promote the sensor as a complete measurement processing system.