Signal-to-noise ratio evaluation for embedded wireless sensor nodes: A novel methodology

This article proposes a general methodology for evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of data acquisition systems in wireless sensors nodes. This methodology enables designers to evaluate the SNR regardless of non-stationary sensor signals behaviour (with unknown signal shapes) or voltage supply decrease due to battery depletion. The proposed methodology provides criteria to modify signal features and data acquisition system parameters for achieving SNR values that assure numerical stability of the algorithms implemented into the node. Validation measurements and an application example are presented.