HR: 0800h
AN: IN21B-1180    [Abstracts]
TI: Sensor Web technology: implications for a network design in an alpine environment of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California
AU: * Rice, R
EM: rrice@ucmerced.edu
AF: University of California, Merced, 4225 N. Hospital Rd, Atwater, CA 95301 United States
AU: Bales, R
EM: rbales@ucmerced.edu
AF: University of California, Merced, 4225 N. Hospital Rd, Atwater, CA 95301 United States
AU: Delin, K
EM: Kevin.A.Delin@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove , Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AU: Jackson, S
EM: Shannon.Jackson@jpl.nasa.gov
AF: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 4800 Oak Grove , Pasadena, CA 91109-8099 United States
AB: A Sensor Web system consisting of a network of 10 interacting wireless pods was deployed across a mixed conifer 2.5 ha site (Gin Flat) in the Upper Merced River basin, California. The deployment of the Sensor Web addresses two aims: 1) Establish intensive point measurements to study how physiographic variables interact to control seasonal snow distribution both spatially and temporally over similar and variable terrain. The installation uses Sensor Web technology to enhance data recovery and analysis, while exploring new methods for synchronized measuring and monitoring of the seasonal snowcover. This Sensor Web deployment was the first operational network in a highly dynamic environment characterized by seasonal snowcover, precipitation dominated by snow, and varying terrain. 2) Test and evaluate the wireless and technical capabilities of the 10-pod Sensor Web system. Above average snow depths and frequent snow storms interrupted continuous data transmission throughout the local neighborhood, except those pods that were placed in locations with a clear line of sight. Data indicated that communication links were frequently lost during storms as precipitation altered the impedance of the atmosphere, while increasing snow depths altered the propagation of radio waves. Results from the winter/spring 2005 demonstrated the capabilities of the system to capture data on the spatial characteristic of snow variability, but a consistent data stream on spatial snow accumulation rates were lost or intermittent due to weak radio links resulting from the atmospheric impedance, as well as the deep snowpack. In addition, results provided information about basic Sensor Web functions in this harsh environment, thereby improving the system for the winter of 2005/2006. The new deployment will also expand the system to a total of 20 pods allowing for some of the pods to act as repeaters as an inter-pod communication hedge against snow drifts, precipitation, and other dynamic events.
UR: http://faculty.ucmerced.edu/rbales/Alpine/index.html
DE: 1894 Instruments and techniques: modeling
DE: 3094 Instruments and techniques
DE: 6994 Instruments and techniques (1241)
DE: 8494 Instruments and techniques
DE: 9820 Techniques applicable in three or more fields
SC: Earth and Space Science Informatics [IN]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005