Advancing mesh-by-mesh
How can sensor data – such as air pressure, temperature, pollutant content and humidity – be transported as reliably as possible from the remotest of locations without a fixed internet connection? This was the question that the University of Bern, MeteoSwiss, PCEngines and SWITCH all looked into.
What is involved
Scientists worldwide could make use of special ad-hoc networks – also known as Wireless Mesh Networks (WMN) – to reliably transport special measurement data from remote locations into the glass fibre network. These networks are capable of bridging long distances too. The trick here is that WMNs are in a position to form and configure themselves at a specific point in time and to mesh with other ad-hoc networks. They are made up of different components which have wireless-LAN capability: these can be personal digital assistants, notebooks or mobile radio devices, which pass the data on to each other. A complex routing procedure ensures that consideration is paid to factors such as computing power, energy resources and data load for each of the individual components.
CTI-mesh network in the Neuchâtel – Payerne region of Switzerland
Knowledge transfer via CTI mesh
"Wireless Mesh Networks for Interconnection of Remote Sites to Fixed Broadband Networks" – this is the name of the project that SWITCH has been working on with its project partners under the abbreviated title of "CTI-Mesh". A study was conducted of how WMNs can be efficiently deployed in meteorological applications, in particular. The challenges that had to be mastered by all those taking part in the project extended from software problems in component synchronisation right through to mechanical aspects, such as the alignment of the radio antennas. An analysis was also conducted of questions relating to costs, efficiency and the reliability and completeness of data transmission with WMNs, as well as the corresponding practical solutions (for more details see the CTI-Final Report).
Where the interests lie
MeteoSwiss is the operator of the Swiss weather network and has a good 130 weather stations that are equipped with sensors. WMNs would be able to mesh the stations, which are up to 20 km apart, or even the sensors themselves into an independent broadband network. The computer experts at PCEngines are investing in this technology of the future by making available the necessary components and hardware. In the case of SWITCH, it would be possible for WMNs to open up the innovative possibility of expanding the university and research network to geographically remote locations.