Robust Long‑Range Wireless Sensor Networks for Remote Data Monitoring

Often, a data monitoring system is needed in rugged, harsh, unpredictable terrain across large swaths of territory. The required solution must be reliable; however, operators of the system are rarely able to visit the remote site to retrieve data or perform routine maintenance.

The Long-Range Wireless Sensor Network (LRWSN) is a wireless mesh sensor network architecture that captures, collects, and relays disparate field data from remote off-grid locations. LRWSN is rugged, easy to install and operate, cost-efficient to scale, wireless, and uses little power, enabling a broad variety of sensors to be located anywhere in the field. LRWSN can be optimized for constantly monitoring data such as climate and ground variables, fragile ecosystems, critical boundary perimeters, and remote watershed and storm water monitoring sites.

This system is enabled by an agile, self-configuring, self-healing mesh network design that supports a variety of sensor nodes distributed across miles of rugged terrain with minimal field support required. LRWSN is a more robust alternative to other less reliable point-to-point wireless data networks. LRWSN is able to transmit field data through an agile mesh network efficiently, node-to-node, and across more square miles than any comparable sensor network design. The technology has been validated under numerous field conditions for extended periods of time.

The design is comprised of field-deployable, temperature-resistant hardware sensor nodes that create a self-forming, self-healing wireless mesh network that communicates and relays data via radio frequency among its nodes. Each node includes embedded scientific processing, authentication, and optional satellite or cellular transmission capability, enabling actionable information to be transmitted anytime, anywhere. The nodes wirelessly communicate through RF radios, with each sensor node having the option to integrate into an onboard cellular or satellite modem that allows operators to retrieve key data sets.