MICARES: Mote expansion module for gas sensing applications

Wireless gas sensor networks offer the potential of high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring of target areas in both critical and non-critical scenarios. We describe the design and evaluation of an electronic expansion module, suitable for gas sensing applications with wireless sensor networks. The module is intended for use with the MICA family of motes through the 51-pin connector. Proper housing assured, the device is applicable to both indoor and outdoor gas sensing. Challenges lay in sensor selection, analytical and experimental power budgeting and field testing. We present the design goals at the network and node level and the adopted solutions to achieve them. Appropriate adaptive sampling strategies for energy efficiency, along with data resulting from CO₂ monitoring are described.