A wireless sensor assembly includes a housing defining a first aperture for receiving an external sensor, and a second aperture defining a communication port, a wireless power source mounted within the housing, and electronics mounted to the housing and configured to receive power from the wireless power source and to be in electrical communication with the external sensor. The electronics include a wireless communications component, and firmware configured to manage a rate of data transmittal from the wireless communications component to an external device. The communication port is configured to receive a wire harness connected to the external sensor.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.

A device for measuring at least one physical quantity includes a direct voltage source and a measuring sensor coupled to the voltage source, which sensor is configured to measure a physical quantity. A current regulator is connected between the direct voltage source and the measuring sensor, and a voltmeter is connected in parallel with the measuring sensor so that a voltage detected by the voltmeter is indicative of the measured quantity.

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting a failure of a sensor device during operation of the sensor device. A test signal is generated in a first frequency band that is above a signal frequency band of the sensor device and fed into a sensor element of the sensor device. A set of samples is obtained, and a magnitude value is derived from said at least two consecutive samples at the first frequency band. The magnitude value is compared to a magnitude threshold value that defines a minimum for the magnitude value and if the magnitude value is below the magnitude threshold value, it is determined that an error has occurred in the sensor device.

Systems and techniques for compensating for the forces exerted on the autonomous lawn mower exerted by operating on a sloped region to be mowed are provided herein. In some examples, such systems and techniques may include receiving a coverage plan of an area to be mowed that includes a sloped region, determining, based on data for the one or more sensors, an orientation of the autonomous lawn mower and determining a slope force to compensate for the slope on which the autonomous lawn mower is operating. The slope force is then converted into signals to generate torques at one or more wheels to compensate for the slope.

Systems and techniques for compensating for the forces exerted on the autonomous lawn mower exerted by operating on a sloped region to be mowed are provided herein. In some examples, such systems and techniques may include receiving a coverage plan of an area to be mowed that includes a sloped region, determining, based on data for the one or more sensors, an orientation of the autonomous lawn mower and determining a slope force to compensate for the slope on which the autonomous lawn mower is operating. The slope force is then converted into signals to generate torques at one or more wheels to compensate for the slope.

The invention relates to a control unit (6) for evaluating the sensor signal of a sensor (2), comprising at least one first sensor connection (21) and a second sensor connection (22) for connecting the sensor (2), wherein the second sensor connection (22) is connected to a short-circuit protection circuit (23), which is arranged between the second sensor connection (22) and a grounding (3), and which comprises a switchable transistor (7), by way of which the grounding (3) of the second sensor connection (22) can be interrupted.

Various embodiments include a method for verifying sensors for a sensor network including a reference sensor comprising: identifying a first sensor; locating the identified sensor; comparing a measured value recorded by the identified sensor to a measured value recorded at the same time and within a defined spatial environment using the reference sensor; determining a deviation of the measured value of the identified sensor from the measured value of the reference sensor; and assigning the sensor to precisely one of at least two categories depending on an amount of the deviation.

Various embodiments include a method for verifying sensors for a sensor network including a reference sensor comprising: identifying a first sensor; locating the identified sensor; comparing a measured value recorded by the identified sensor to a measured value recorded at the same time and within a defined spatial environment using the reference sensor; determining a deviation of the measured value of the identified sensor from the measured value of the reference sensor; and assigning the sensor to precisely one of at least two categories depending on an amount of the deviation.