4 Integrated communication technology: the light-emitting diodes inside and … … the pressure sensor, protected in a sealed balloon Digital networking: data collection and exchange in real time using pressure sensors, radio communication and infrared light Radio communication ZigBee® WLAN Infrared sensor technology Infrared light-emitting diodes AquaJelly 01 Temperature 15,7 °C Voltage 4,00 V Current -270 mA Depth 56 cm State AquaJelly 01 Temperature 15,7 °C Voltage 4,00 V Current -270 mA Depth 56 cm State Internal sensors for monitoring: • Temperature • Power consumption • Position • Direction External computer Intelligently combined sensor technology The jellyfish's sensor technology resorts to three different media: pressure, radio and infrared. The main communication medium between the jellyfish is the infrared sensor system. Each AquaJelly has eleven infrared light-emitting diodes that are attached to a ring inside its dome. Six white and six blue LEDs on the circuit board allow the spectator to see the communication in action. Avoiding collisions By using pulsed infrared signals, the AquaJellies are able to communicate over a distance of up to 80 centimetres. In this way, for example, each jellyfish can take evasive action in time if it receives the position signal of an approaching jellyfish. For communication with the user, the AquaJellies use the energysaving ZigBee® short-range radio system. This forwards the information for the real-time diagnostics via an external computer, which exchanges the status data by WLAN using the associated app for androids. In addition to the sensors that monitor their surroundings, AquaJellies are also fitted with an internal sensor system that monitors its energy condition. A solenoid switch enables it to register the orientation of the propulsion system. A pressure sensor enables the jellyfish to determine their position in the basin to within a few millimetres and to position themselves within a specific pressure zone. Collective behaviour Each jellyfish decides autonomously what action to take next – depending on the state of the battery charge, on the orientation of the propulsion system, but also on the proximity of another jellyfish. The overall behaviour of the AquaJellies is emergent. This means the following, in other words: without predetermined control of the overall system, nevertheless, from the simple actions of the individual alone, a collective behaviour displayed by the overall group emerges. This makes the AquaJellies a starting point and inspiration for other developments; among other things, studies of collective behaviour patterns. If this principle is transferred to the field of automation, several autonomous, decentralised systems could be networked for a specific purpose and together solve a bigger task.
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