This document discusses the development of a wireless sensor network system for environmental monitoring and management support. The key points are: 1) The system would be smart, distributed, low-cost, robust, adaptable, scalable, and eco-friendly to provide continuous data collection across ecological scales from satellite to ground sensors. 2) It represents a new platform that takes a multidisciplinary approach through phased R&D to evolve viable sensor network products that are broadly applicable beyond just the environments being monitored. 3) Initial transmission trials of the sensor network in sea environments showed promise while also demonstrating limitations of very low frequency communication that require further development of the system.

1. ACEDP – River Health & E-flows
Brisbane, December 2009

3. ! " Separating background variation from real change
! " Reducing the need for extrapolation & interpolation
! " Capture events – continuous data collection
! " Need to cross ecological scales in data collection
(Satellite to ground to satellite)
! "Need to dialogue with data collection system – react
remotely.
! "Build overall confidence in the models & decisions
made based on the data.

5. !" A wireless sensor network “system”
! "“Smart”
! "Distributed
! "Low cost
! "Robust
! "Adaptable
! "Scalable
! "Eco-friendly energy
! " New
platform for environmental
monitoring & Management support

8. ! " Taking
multidisciplinary approach to produce a new
generation of integrated technologies –
not a one-man project
seamless from data collection to application
! " Phased R&D
Evolution rather than blue-sky invention
Proof of concept to viable product
! " Applicable
beyond the environments being used for
development

9. Heron Island Lagoon
Moreton Bay

12. Pros:
! " Cheap
! " Insensitive to acoustic noise
! " Low sensitivity to natural obsatcles
Cons:
! " High attenuation at high
frequency
! " Carrier freq must be ELF/VLF:
consequent low bandwidth/
comm speed

13. Umberto M. Cella, Ph.D. Candidate confirmation seminar, 8 May 2008
!" Results of transmission trial in sea (Amity Point, Stradbroke Is., Dec. 2007, fc=
1kHz, P=100 mW)

14. !" Monitoring & assessment
!" Data for prediction & trend analyses
!" Crisis management & response
!" Community communication
!" Planning
!" Compliance

16. !"3G network – provides essential capability
!"“Network in a Case”
!"Adaptable communications methods
!" UHF, VHF
!" Satellite
!" CDMA
!" 3G