What is Rivernet?
Rivernet is an energy-harvesting wireless sensor network. The network will be used by research scientists from the 5-college area to remotely collect environmental data in real-time from the Fort River in Amherst, Massachusetts. This system will allow scientists to better understand how climate change affects riverbed ecosystems.
What is a wireless sensor network?
A wireless sensor network consists of a group of small devices called "motes". Each mote has a radio, computer, and data storage that allow the devices to form an ad-hoc network that is capable of forwarding data over multiple hops. Our sensor nodes use two types of computers and two radios to send the data over different distances. Our sensor nodes are also equipped with solar panels that harvest energy and will potentially allow the nodes to operate in remote environments indefinitely.
What does a sensor node look like?
Our wireless sensor nodes are in shoebox-sized waterproof cases. Two wires protrude from the side of the case and connect to a solar panel that rests on top of the box. Some of the devices will be connected to external antennae. Several pictures of the devices can be found below. We often do testing in the Engineering quad at the Unversity of Massachusetts, Amherst. The devices will eventually be moved to their future home near De Graff Park (Also in Amherst).
Questions?
Thank you for your understanding regarding outdoor deployments of Wireless Sensor Networks. Any questions, comments, or concerns regarding testing can be mailed to gummesonATcsDOTumassDOTedu