Software-defined Wireless Networking for Smart Water Monitoring

Session: 59. - Innovative Monitoring across the Great Lakes

Konstantinos Tountas, Florida Atlantic University, [email protected]
George Sklivanitis, Florida Atlantic University, [email protected]
Dimitris Pados, Florida Atlantic University, [email protected]
Stella Batalama, Florida Atlantic University, [email protected]

Abstract

We design, develop, and deploy a first of its kind software-defined platform for smart water monitoring that leverages underwater acoustic modem technology and low-power sensing and communication protocols for increased range wireless networking. The platform can interface to a broad range of commercial off-the-shelf and in-house built sensors. Real-time data retrieval of frequent measurements at multiple water depths from a network of sensors in lakes, rivers, and oceans is hindered by the limited communication speed, the lack of mobility and autonomy, and the cost of existing communication sensors. Particularly, existing solutions for water monitoring rely on stationary/fixed sampling and sensing techniques (usually with lab-grade equipment) that are labor intensive and time consuming. In this work, we present new types of open-source software and hardware, including self-reconfigurable network protocol architectures and waterproof software-defined wireless modems, with dual acoustic/RF capabilities, to establish infrastructure-(less) ad-hoc networks for smart water monitoring. The proposed integrated platform for smart sensing and wireless networking can significantly benefit real-time pollution monitoring and accurate detection of excess nutrients and contaminants at different water depths by enabling both underwater and terrestrial wireless connectivity in a wide area network setup. We present experimental measurements from the deployment of two in-house built software-defined wireless platforms at the Sandusky Bay, OH.

1. Keyword
acoustics

2. Keyword
signal processing

3. Keyword
experimental design

4. Additional Keyword
Software-defined

5. Additional Keyword
Underwater