International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: The Permasense Remote Monitoring Infrastructure

• • Title: The Permasense Remote Monitoring Infrastructure

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop, Davos 2009, Proceedings

    Authors:

    • Jan Beutel  [ Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Stephan Gruber  [ Physical Geography Division, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Stefanie Gubler  [ Physical Geography Division, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Andreas Hasler  [ Physical Geography Division, Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Matthias Keller  [ Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Roman Lim  [ Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Igor Talzi  [ Computer Science Department, University of Basel, Switzerland ]
    • Lothar Thiele  [ Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland ]
    • Christian Tschudin  [ Computer Science Department, University of Basel, Switzerland ]
    • Mustafa Yücel  [ Computer Engineering and Networks Lab, ETH Zurich, Switzerland ]

    Date: 2009

    Abstract: The PermaSense project, a joint computer science and geoscience project, investigates the influence of climate change on permafrost and specifically the stability of steep rock walls in alpine regions and future natural hazard scenarios due to global warming. Current practice only allows to make observations in the mountain cryosphere using limited field studies; larger-scale and longer-term measurements are very difficult. To this extent we develop autonomous, wireless sensors that allow the collection, transmission and analysis of data online with reliable and high-quality measurement systems for extreme environmental conditions. The main goal of PermaSense is to provide long-term high-quality sensing in harsh environments, to obtain better quality data more effectively and make measurements that have previously been impossible. The system makes use of state-of-the-art ultralow power wireless sensor nodes that can live off of a single battery for 3-5 years and survive the harsh environmental conditions in high-alpine regions. A base station is responsible of relaying data to a server using a long-haul wireless link, e.g. GSM/GPRS or WLAN with low latency on the order of seconds. Online data analysis allows to assess the state of a field site quickly and to adapt algorithms and analysis methods when necessary. We are currently operating sensor networks delivering online data on both the Jungfraujoch and the Matterhorn at 3500m a.s.l. In this paper we describe the technology currently used in PermaSense and explain how this can be adapted for other cases of environmental monitoring.

    Object ID: issw-2009-0187-0191.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s): Unknown

    Keywords: permafrost, remote sensing, wireless sensors, natural hazard early warning

    Page Number(s): 187-191

    Subjects: permasense remote monitoring infrastructure natural hazard early warning

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