Suggest the best way to transfer analog sensor signal into digital signal and send to cloud or to local computer to store for later access

Status: Closed
Prize: $250
Entries Received: 5
Winner: verosys

Winner

Contest Brief

We're currently building a large system for inventory monitoring and for generating purchase orders. The system employs load cells which measure weight of items placed on them. The items will be permanently placed on the scales. The scales will be designed to "power off" in order to conserve electrical power. Several times each day, the scales will "wake up" and send weight data to a local computer or to the cloud . We will use up to 10000 scales for this project.
This contest addresses the electronics design part of this system (wiring, powering, AD conversion, data transmission, etc...). The contest is designed to gather suggestions on the most reliable way, and least expensive way to build this system. Suggestions must be accompanied by wiring diagrams and an explanation why the suggestion meets the stated criteria. The winner will be asked to provide detailed wiring diagrams and part numbers of items used in the suggestion. Freelancers who do not care to participate fully in this contest are encouraged to critique entries and to provide partial ideas and suggestions on how to approach a specific aspect of this design. The project will be posted to Freelancer for design later. All participants will be specially invited to bid, and will receive priority consideration.
Please view 3 attached sheets.
One sheet contains additional specification (if you think that a specification is not a good one, please feel free to suggest a change).
The other 2 sheet contain concept diagrams showing some of our ideas. We have those idea as evident from the diagrams. We think that our ideas "stink" and we need to know yours.
We reserve the right to cancel this contest if no or low qualified entrants participate.
Thank you

Edits: I replaced old drawing containing 3 concept methods of system architecture and replaced with similar drawings but removed all reference to PLC to eliminate confusion.

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Employer Feedback

“Freelancer came up with a unique and interesting solution to a very specific and challenging electronics issue. Seems to have extensive expertise in analog and digital electronics hardware and hardware design.”

freebird1974, United States.

Public Clarification Board

verosys
- 7 years ago
Using a separate controller for each scale also allows usage of different load cells which might require different analog front ends.
- 7 years ago
verosys
- 7 years ago
My solution can be made more cost effective if more scales are connected to one scale or rack controller. However this has its impact on the noise immunity of the system. To keep the noise low high quality shielded cabling should be used from the scales to the modules. This cabling could in the end cost more than a separate module for each scale.
- 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
contact me for more info regarding flow, design, prototype, transmission setup schema and all..
- 7 years ago
View 2 more messages
1. shockwave7747
  - 7 years ago
  This is the more and Most cheaper way to get your work done using ESP+Arduino. and of-course yes, you can built a board, and operate 128 devices cost effectively and with efficiency but my suggestion for maintenance free, and a wireless effective transmission is to design a separate boards of each systems, which will be lot more easy to maintain. This is the best way for effective and efficient utilization of resources.
  - 7 years ago
2. shockwave7747
  - 7 years ago
  and if i suggest please don't use Texas instruments, Raspberry and such hybrid devices, it can be cost more then 45usd per each pie, hence it is a computer, and why to give a cost of a computer while you can do all this things via controller of 1.5usd. I have all the specification and prototype with model numbers, and System will be operable using as low as 5v.
  - 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
nope, this module is available at very cheaper cost and yup, it can your devices, its temperatures, it can power your devices on/off and much more. I am working on it from 11 months. and still lot to research. and yup you can operate 8 to 16 devices from using one ESP.
- 7 years ago
1. Contest Holder
  - 7 years ago
  6 to 8 sensor devices (scales) per module is a possibility.
  - 7 years ago
Contest Holder
- 7 years ago
Also, where do you place this module? inside of each scale? That can be expensive.
- 7 years ago
1. shockwave7747
  - 7 years ago
  I have reply for you in comments.
  - 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
i may send you a prototype of my device, it is designed by us. I owe a company named BlackSparrow, and we design Automation Systems. And we also developed a software for data transmission and operation.
- 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
well i have seen your specifications, and if you only want to get the data and manage your devices , then you don't need to use Bluetooth connectivity. WiFi or Long range industrial purpose NRF with having 40km range is enough for your data transmission.
- 7 years ago
Contest Holder
- 7 years ago
Interesting solution for data transmission Sleep/wake up feature. questions:Can this module be used to shut power off
- 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
and you can also set the wifi device data transmission time after 1 hour or more, and also you can configure device like ESP12E/F 32 and similar to sleep mode and revoke them after an interrupt.
- 7 years ago
shockwave7747
- 7 years ago
Hello sir, i can suggest a better way to do this.
- 7 years ago