The Tidmarsh API

Our group has recently been working on a new API and server infrastructure for aggregating sensor data. It is open-source, and hosted on Github at https://github.com/ssfrr/doppel2. See the README on the github page for an overview of the API. You can download a PDF here.

You can access an instance of API from a web browser at http://tidmarsh.media.mit.edu/api.

Note that this is an in-progress project and we're actively soliciting feedback.

AVR Programming

We have an AVRISP mkII programmer with us that can be used to flash AVR chips with firmware. We recommend using avrdude with the programmer. Its a simple command line program that talks to  the AVRISP. This page has all of it covered. The avrdude name for the AVRISP mkII programmer is "avrispmkII", (for the -c argument). Before an avr program can be flashed onto an avr chip, it needs to be compiled. Mac users can install CrossPack to setup a toochain for AVR. It installs avr-gcc, avrdude and other things needed to compile (and flash) avr projects.

Arduino + GSM + Sensors

Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software. We are going to use the Arduino Uno in combination with the Arduino GSM Shield to upload sensors values to the Tidmarsh Sensor API, where you can check out realtime data and access the data for visualization.


The following Arduino sketch is what you need to upload data to the Tidmarsh Sensor API

hg clone http://simonetti.media.mit.edu/hg/arduino-gsm-to-doppel2

Tidmarsh Sensor Nodes

We are very happy to introduce to you the Tidmarsh Sensor Nodes, designed by Brian Mayton. As part of the LIving Observatory Initiative these small sensor node have been place in the Tidmarsh Farms to capture climate and other environmental data, and are capable of streaming audio from high in the trees and underwater. Visit at any time from dawn till dusk and again after midnight, and check the weather report below for highlights; if you’re lucky you might just catch an April storm, a flock of birds, or an army of frogs.

The Tidmarsh sensor node is a small, low-power wireless sensor node platform. In addition to its onboard sensor set (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, ambient light, and vibration/motion) it can optionally contain an audio codec DSP and expansion for additional analog and digital sensor channels.

It is powered by either 3 AA batteries (of various chemistries) or a lithium polymer pack. The batteries can be charged by an external power source, such as a solar panel.

The sensor nodes include a low-power 802.15.4 radio operating in the 2.4GHz band, and use the Atmel Lightweight Mesh protocol to communicate. It is also possible to interface with the nodes via the serial port.

You can find more information about the development environment and how to add additional sensors here.