IoT-Based Wireless Networkingfor Seismic Applications

TL;DR

This paper explores using LPWAN IoT technology for seismic monitoring, demonstrating that low data-rate networks can effectively handle complex seismic data in delay-tolerant applications through a tailored network architecture.

Contribution

It introduces a novel IoT-based wireless network design for seismic applications, addressing data handling challenges and validating performance through practical testing.

Findings

LPWAN networks can support large-scale seismic data transmission

Delay-tolerant design mitigates low data-rate limitations

Field tests confirm real-time seismic quality control feasibility

Abstract

We propose to employ a recently developed IoT-based wireless technology, so called low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs), to exploit their long range, low power, and inherent compatibility to cloud storage and computing. We create a remotely-operated minimum-maintenance wireless solution for four major seismic applications of interest. By proposing appropriate network architecture and data coordination (aggregation and transmission) designs we show that neither the low data-rate nor the low duty-cycle of LPWANs impose fundamental issues in handling a considerable amount of data created by complex seismic scenarios as long as the application is delay-tolerant. In order to confirm this claim, we cast our ideas into a practical large-scale networking design for simultaneous seismic monitoring and interferometry and carry out an analysis on the data generation and transmission rates. Finally, we present some results from a small-scale field test in which we have employed our IoT-based wireless nodes for real-time seismic quality control (QC) over clouds.