The Wireless Identification and Sensing Platform (WISP) is an RFID-based platform for developing batteryless sensors. RFID systems typically have two devices, a tag and a reader. When a tag is brought close enough to a reader, the tag wirelessly collects energy from the reader and can send back information. However, typically, tags are pretty limited in what they send. It’s usually only a unique identifier.
WISP devices are tags that can do more than standard RFID, performing computation and taking sensor readings on-board. Tags have been made with temperature sensors, accelerometers and even cameras. The captured data is sent wirelessly back to a reader within range.
I’ve been working on developing the next generation of WISP (version 6.0) which brings a modular RF board and microcontroller with add-on boards for various sensor types. Additionally, I developed the new companion desktop application, which simplifies the process of collecting data from WISP devices.