SENSg Node User Manual 1.

What features does the SENSg have?

The SENSg stores information about temperature, humidity,

atmospheric pressure, light levels, noise levels, and motion.
The device also senses Wi-Fi signals in order to localize
itself, and periodically uploads sensor data to a secured
database if it is in range of a known access point. The sensor
data information is anonymous, and stored securely in the
cloud.

Quick Start
1. Ensure that the Special Hotspot is set
running before switching on a device.

2. To start a new run, switch the device on

while it is resting firmly on a table. Do not
ON position

switch the device on while moving.

3. Before you start a run, ensure that after

you switch the device on, you see the light
blink purple at least once at the end of
flashing

other

colours,

which

means

everything is configured properly and the

device is able to upload data.

4. When you are walking or in motion, the

LED will blink blue every ~10 seconds. This
means that SENSg is taking measurements.
The LED may flash when you are standing
still for a period of time, this is normal.

5. SENSg will blink red if it not working

properly. Please refer to the FAQ section for
more information.

SENSg Special Hotspot

In order to allow data to move from the device to the SENSg
secure server, you must set up a hotspot with the SSID:
NSE_OPEN as well as the password which the organizers
provide for you. You may set up your home router, or your
handphone to act as a hotspot in order to serve as a path for
SENSg data. The devices use very little data, less than 1MB
(1 minute of a YouTube video) per week.
The following instructions from Google Support let you know
how to set up your Android Phone to act as a hotspot:
1.
2.
3.

Open your device's Settings menu

.
Under "Wireless & networks," touch More >
Tethering & portable hotspot.
Check the box or turn on the switch next to "Portable
Wi-Fi hotspot." When the option is turned on, you'll
see one of the following notifications (your icons may
look slightly different if your device is
running Andriod 4.4 or lower):

Portable Wi-Fi hotspot active

4.
5.

6.
7.
8.

Multiple tethering or hotspot

connections active
Touch the notification, then touch Set up Wi-Fi
hotspot.
Choose to name the hotspot in the "Network
SSID" field to be NSE_OPEN. Note that this is
CASE SENSITIVE
Enter the password provided by the SGC organizers
in the "Password" field
Then touch Save.
On the device that you want to use the Wi-Fi hotspot
on, select this network from the list of Wi-Fi
options and enter the password to connect to the
Internet.

To stop sharing your data connection after running your

experiment, uncheck the box or turn off the switch next to
"Portable Wi-Fi hotspot" in the Settings menu.

How do I interact with my SENSg

The SENSg will allow you to view your own personal data
online, and to download it for viewing and analysis.

New features are being added all the time, please visit
https://app.nse.sg/app/ to see your data.

To Log In:
In order to access your personal data, you may log-in on the
website by typing in two numbers:
1. Last 6 digit of your SN

2. Your private PIN

Data Download
There are two options for downloading data from the
https://app.nse.sg/app/ interface. Download Data returns
data for which localization results have been calculated based
on the Wi-Fi radio-map of Singapore, and only data for which
a timestamp was recorded between the range selected on the
portals time selector. In other words, it only returns data
which is currently being visualized on the portal. Download
All returns all data recorded by the sensor node, regardless
of time range or whether localization results are available.

All data for device,

regardless of
location data or date

Only data with

location fix within
selected date range

Both data files have the header format:

ID timestamp (Unix absolute, ms - relative)

Humidity (%)
Temperature (C)
Pressure(Pa)
Light (level) relative light level
IR (N/A) sensor disabled
Sound Pressure Level (dB)
# of steps identified number of steps taken
Mode identified travel mode
MAC list of recorded Wi-Fi access point MAC
addresses
Latitude WGS84

Longitude WGS84
Accuracy of the radio-map localization fix (m)
Goodness metric on the quality of data

Note that the timestamp is either given in Unix time when

absolute time is available (i.e. a server connection has been
established), or in milliseconds since power on in case the
device has not managed to contact the SENSg server when it
was powered on. For more information on Unix time, please
read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time
How SENSg Localizes
The SENSg nodes use a pre-recorded radio map of
Singapore which determines location by triangulating
between different Wi-Fi access points as shown in the Figure
below. The accuracy of this localization technique depends
heavily on how many Wi-Fi hotspots the sensors measure. In
large open spaces, the localization accuracy can be
diminished, whereas in heavily built-up areas, it can improve.

Hotspot 3

SENSg

Hotspot 1
Hotspot 2

Image from: http://anders.com/cms/389/iPad/GPS/Location.Based.Services

Smart-phone Application
To support the efforts of Singapore Geospatial Challenge
participants, an Android Application was written which collects
accurate GPS coordinates at the time when the data
collection is occurring. The application is available for
download here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yuren.Gps
BssidLogger
Please see the accompanying GPSBSSIDLogger application
documentation for details on how it may be used.
A sample output of the data file is included below for
reference:

Charging and Care

The SENSg are sensitive measuring devices, and may not be
dropped or exposed to water. Please ensure that the devices
are always attended while in use. Never leave the device
unattended while measuring for any reason. It is good
practice to secure the device to your person using a lanyard
or carabiner while measuring.
The devices may be charged from a standard micro-USB
cable plugged into your computer or into the wall. They
accept 5V and draw no more than 500 mA, just as standard
mobile phone chargers supply.

10

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My sensor wont turn on, what do I do?
The sensors are designed to be low power and do not light
up very often. The chances are that the sensor is working
perfectly. If you want to make sure, check that the switch is
flipped to the furthest left when the buttons are facing up.

ON position

OFF Position

2. My sensors LED is doing something unusual, what do

I do?
Write anything strange or unexpected you notice about the
LED down in the back of this booklet.
3. Something unexpected happened with the SENSg,
what do I do?
Send an email to info@nse.sg and let the SENSg team know.
Include your name, contact information, and a description of
what happened.
4. I dropped my sensor or it got wet, what do I do?
Write down exactly what happened at the back of this book.
You wont be punished for accidents, but you can save a lot
of time by letting us know.

11

User Log
Please use this part of the notebook to record anything which
happens during your experience with the sensor that is out of
the ordinary.

12