학술논문

TDD LoRa and Delta Encoding in Low-Power Networks of Environmental Sensor Arrays for Temperature and Deformation Monitoring
Document Type
article
Source
Journal of Signal Processing Systems. 95(7)
Subject
Data Management and Data Science
Distributed Computing and Systems Software
Information and Computing Sciences
Engineering
LPWAN
Collision avoidance
TDD
LoRa
Delta encoding
Environmental sensing
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Computer Hardware & Architecture
Networking & Telecommunications
Communications engineering
Electrical engineering
Machine learning
Language
Abstract
Densely distributed sensor networks can revolutionize environmental observations by providing real-time data with an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. However, field deployments often pose unique challenges in terms of power provisions and wireless connectivity. We present a framework for wirelessly connected distributed sensor arrays for near-surface temperature and/or deformation monitoring. Our research focuses on a novel time division duplex implementation of the LoRa protocol, enabling battery powered base stations and avoiding collisions within the network. In order to minimize transmissions and improve battery life throughout the network, we propose a dedicated delta encoding algorithm that utilizes the spatial and temporal similarity in the acquired data sets. We implemented the developed technologies in a AA battery powered hardware platform that can be used as a wireless data logger or base station, and we conducted an assessment of the power consumption. Without data compression, the projected battery life for a data logger is 4.74 years, and a wireless base stations can last several weeks or months depending on the amount of network traffic. The delta encoding algorithm can further improve this battery life with a factor of up to 3.50. Our results demonstrate the viability of the proposed methods for low-power environmental wireless sensor networks.