A low-cost PDGNSS-based sensor network for landslide monitoring – challenges, possibilities, and prospects

Abstract

Simple navigation receivers can be used for positioning with sub-centimeter accuracy in a wireless sensor network if the read-out of the carrier phase (CP) data is possible and all data are permanently broadcast to a central processing computer. At this base station an automated near real-time processing takes place and a precise differential GNSS-based positioning of the involved sensor nodes is computed. The paper describes the technical principles of such a system with its essential demands for the sensing, the communication, and the computing components. First experiences in a research project related to landslide monitoring are depicted. Of course the developed system can also be embedded for location finding in a widespread multifunctional geo sensor network. The quality of the obtained result is restricted due to the fact that the CP measurements must be recorded over a certain time span, usually a few minutes for every independent position solution. As far as possible a modular structure with commercial off-theshelf components, e.g. standard wireless local area network for communication, and in cooperation of existing proofed and powerful program tools is chosen. Open interfaces are used as far as possible.