Research Article

Long-range wireless sensor networks with transmit-only nodes and software-defined receivers

  1. Christof Huebner1,*,
  2. Rachel Cardell-Oliver2,
  3. Stefan Hanelt1,
  4. Tino Wagenknecht1,
  5. Alvaro Monsalve2

Article first published online: 3 OCT 2011

DOI: 10.1002/wcm.1198

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Additional Information

How to Cite

Huebner, C., Cardell-Oliver, R., Hanelt, S., Wagenknecht, T. and Monsalve, A. (2011), Long-range wireless sensor networks with transmit-only nodes and software-defined receivers. Wirel. Commun. Mob. Comput.. doi: 10.1002/wcm.1198

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute for Industrial Data Processing and Communication, University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

  2. 2

    School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

*Christof Huebner, Institute for Industrial Data Processing and Communication, University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany.
E-mail: c.huebner@hs-mannheim.de

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 3 OCT 2011
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 20 AUG 2011
  3. Manuscript Revised: 28 MAY 2011
  4. Manuscript Received: 9 JUL 2010

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Keywords:

  • wireless sensor network;
  • environmental monitoring;
  • VHF frequency spectrum;
  • path loss;
  • radio propagation model

ABSTRACT

Wireless sensor networks for environmental monitoring and agricultural applications often face Long-range requirements at low bit rates together with a large numbers of nodes. This paper presents the design and test of a novel wireless sensor network that combines a large radio range with very low power consumption and cost. Our asymmetric sensor network uses ultra-low-cost 40-MHz transmitters and a sensitive software-defined radio receiver with multi-channel capability. Experimental radio range measurements in two different outdoor environments demonstrate a single-hop range of up to 1.8 km. A theoretical model for radio propagation at 40 MHz in outdoor environments is proposed and validated with the experimental measurements. The reliability and fidelity of network communication over longer periods is evaluated with a deployment for distributed temperature measurements. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of the transmit-only low-frequency system design approach for future environmental sensor networks. Although there have been several papers proposing the theoretical benefits of this approach, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to provide experimental validation of such claims. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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