AT GROUND LEVEL
At the heart of sensing
Collecting reliable and detailed data is crucial to the success of a Smart City . Any inaccuracies and reporting errors will lead to discrepancies in the data and could cause issues with essential infrastructure . Therefore , it ’ s important to invest in the right sensor technology .
In its simplest terms , the sensor can be broken down into three individual components : the sensing unit , responsible for detecting changes ; the processing unit , which converts the analogue signals produced by the sensor into digital signals ; and the communication unit , which is responsible for relaying this information to a control system .
Richard Mount , Director of Sales at Swindon Silicon Systems
The analogue signals produced by many sensors cannot be understood by digital equipment directly . Therefore , converting the signal into a digital , electrical one is an important and necessary step in allowing the sensor to interface with the rest of the network .
Standard off-the-shelf integrated circuits ( ICs ) can perform the required signal conversion . But to set the system apart from others on the market , there ’ s a better solution available .
This comes in the shape of an Application Specific IC , or ASIC . An ASIC is a custom chip designed for the specific application at hand and , in the case of Smart Cities , the adoption of ASICs over standard ICs can offer many benefits . The bespoke approach of ASIC design results in an optimised chip , with ultra-low power consumption . This is especially important in applications like in-ground car sensors , where connection to the mains requires significant disruption to roads and services . impact of workers who are late or stressed due to poor traffic flow is lessened ; and the social benefits of an easier driving and parking experience can be enjoyed .
This thinking can be easily applied beyond parking and across the entire Smart City network . In terms of waste disposal , sensors can indicate when waste sites need emptying and plan more efficient disposal routes . Such thinking can also be applied to general traffic management , using data to map out common pain points where traffic builds up to facilitate a holistic , more sustainable approach to city management .
With Smart City sensors expected to work for years at a time , not having parts available for repairs or replacements can be an area of concern when working with standard ICs . But ASICs are designed with non-obsolescence in mind and an experienced ASIC designer will ensure that there are sufficient obsolescence plans in place to guarantee a supply of chips for as long as required .
Improving sustainability isn ’ t just about meeting targets . It ’ s also about making cities a cleaner and more attractive place to live . By implementing the latest in sensor technology , cities can collect data like never before and truly unlock the benefits of a connected , smarter and more sustainable city . �
www . intelligentbuild . tech 31