Compressor Core Sense
Emerson Electric
2016 – 2017
Hybrid Developer
Manufacturing
Tech Stack
Summary
Developed IoT hybrid app for real-time compressor monitoring and data visualization.
What I Built
Project Overview
Compressor Core Sense was an industrial IoT initiative developed within Emerson's Innovation Center to modernize compressor monitoring, diagnostics, and field service operations. The project explored how mobile and web technologies could bridge the gap between industrial equipment and field engineers by providing real-time access to operational data, fault information, and performance analytics.
As part of Emerson's R&D organization, I worked on multiple proof-of-concepts that investigated new business opportunities in industrial automation and connected equipment. My primary focus was developing mobile and web applications that communicated directly with compressor controllers and transformed complex engineering data into intuitive visual experiences.
The project combined embedded systems, Bluetooth communication, real-time monitoring, and data visualization to help engineers diagnose issues faster and make better operational decisions.
Key Features
Real-Time Compressor Monitoring
Connected directly to compressor controllers to retrieve live operational metrics, fault codes, historical events, and system diagnostics.
Industrial IoT Connectivity
Established communication between mobile applications and embedded microcontrollers using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and serial communication protocols.
Advanced Data Visualization
Developed interactive engineering dashboards that transformed complex compressor performance data into intuitive charts and operating envelopes.
Field Service Support
Enabled engineers working in remote locations to access equipment data, troubleshoot issues, and perform diagnostics without specialized tools.
Proof-of-Concept Innovation
Built multiple experimental solutions to validate new product opportunities and future business directions within Emerson.
My Contributions
- Developed hybrid mobile applications using AngularJS and Apache Cordova.
- Implemented Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and serial communication with compressor microcontrollers.
- Built real-time monitoring interfaces for operational metrics, faults, and diagnostic information.
- Developed a single-page application for compressor performance analysis and visualization.
- Created interactive engineering charts and operating envelopes using Plotly.js.
- Collaborated directly with electrical and field engineers to gather requirements and validate solutions.
- Translated complex engineering workflows into intuitive user experiences.
- Contributed to multiple innovation initiatives and proof-of-concept projects within Emerson's R&D organization.
Technical Highlights
Embedded Device Communication
Implemented communication layers capable of interacting directly with industrial controllers using BLE and serial protocols.
Industrial Data Visualization
Created engineering-focused dashboards that visualized thermodynamic calculations, operating ranges, and compressor performance characteristics in real time.
Edge-to-Mobile Integration
Bridged the gap between embedded hardware and mobile software, enabling field technicians to access critical operational information directly from mobile devices.
Rapid Innovation Framework
Developed proof-of-concepts quickly to evaluate business opportunities and validate technical feasibility before product investment.
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge
Industrial compressor systems generate large amounts of technical data that can be difficult for field engineers to interpret quickly, particularly in remote environments with limited tooling.
Solution
Designed mobile-first diagnostic tools and interactive visualization platforms that converted raw sensor and controller data into actionable insights, enabling engineers to identify issues and understand equipment behavior more efficiently.
Outcome
Successfully demonstrated how connected mobile applications and modern web technologies could improve compressor diagnostics, field service workflows, and equipment monitoring, helping Emerson explore future opportunities in Industrial IoT and connected products.
Technology Stack
Mobile Apache Cordova, AngularJS, Hybrid Mobile Applications
Industrial Connectivity Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Serial Communication
Frontend AngularJS, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript
Data Visualization Plotly.js, D3.js, Kendo UI
Backend & Tools C#, .NET, Visual Basic
Domain Industrial IoT, Embedded Systems, Compressor Monitoring, Predictive Maintenance
Engineering Real-Time Diagnostics, Operational Analytics, Industrial Automation