Tekscan manufactures the most advanced dynamic imaging and tactile force and pressure measurement systems in the world. These sensor applications are accurate, simple to use, and extremely cost-effective.

Tekscan technology has played a key role in research and development all over the world.  Tekscan sensors and sensing systems are used everywhere from Industrial and Automotive to Medical and Dental industries. Their individual FlexiForce load sensors and the ELF systems provide a new category of low cost solutions and OEM tools for anyone who wants an economical solution to their load/force sensing needs.

The ELF sensing solutions currently offered by Tekscan comprised of a thin, flexible force sensor connected via a wired system to a computer or serial hub.  While this proprietary Windows application allowed for multiple sensor data collection, logging, and graphing, the wired architecture limited data collection to areas within close proximity to the computer or hub.  Customers in a variety of industries were calling for a flexible wireless solution for their distributive data collection.

The Task: Taking the Existing Wired Application to Wireless

After successfully working with SSI’s team for an inventory tracking system using pressure sensors, Tekscan turned again to SSI to provide a flexible wireless sensing solution.  This new project would benefit from SSI’s additional hardware and software experience with wireless communications and network protocols, and previous Windows desktop application development.

The SSI Wireless Solution Included Two Wireless Radio Devices

SSI engineers developed the hardware and software to extend the Tekscan sensing environment with wireless functionality.  First, the SSI hardware engineering team created a small, battery-powered device to connect to Tekscan’s standard sensors using a low cost ZigBee ready radio for point to multipoint connectivity.  A second wireless radio device was then developed to connect via USB to a computer.  Finally, the desktop application was modified to accept up to 8 sensor inputs over the wireless connection.

SSI’s wireless sensing solution was built modularly so that it can be readily used in other sensing solutions and projects that SSI partners.