A Wireless Sensor Network for the Real-Time Remote Measurement of Aeolian Sand Transport on Sandy Beaches and Dunes

Abstract

Direct measurements of aeolian sand transport on coastal dunes and beaches is of paramount importance to make correct decisions about coast management. As most of the existing studies are mainly based on a statistical approach, the solution presented in this paper proposes a sensing structure able to orient itself according to wind direction and directly calculate the amount of wind-transported sand by collecting it and by measuring its weight. Measurements are performed remotely without requiring human action because the structure is equipped with a ZigBee radio module, which periodically sends readings to a local gateway. Here data are processed by a microcontroller and then transferred to a remote data collection centre, through GSM technology. The ease of installation, the reduced power consumption and the low maintenance required, make the proposed solution able to work independently, limiting human intervention, for all the duration of the expected experimental campaign. In order to analyze the cause-effect relationship between the transported sand and the wind, the sensing structure is integrated with a multi-layer anemoscope-anemometer structure. The overall sensor network has been developed and tested in the laboratory, and its operation has been validated in field through a 48 h measurement campaign.

Implementing a coastal dune vulnerability index (CDVI) to support coastal management in different settings (Brazil and Italy)

“…It is essential for coastal managers to take this outcome into close consideration because especially GDC and MI factors are not easy to control. They should be encouraged to monitor the physical processes contributing to subaerial and underwater geomorphological changes in accordance with integrated approaches (Bartolini et al, 2018) and using modern techniques that provide continuous, low-cost data acquisition (e.g., Pozzebon et al, 2018), and remote sensing (e.g., Splinter et al, 2018). This prudent course of action will put the emphasis of the "problems-solutions" binomial on solutions.…”

Implementing a coastal dune vulnerability index (CDVI) to support coastal management in different settings (Brazil and Italy)

“…It is essential for coastal managers to take this outcome into close consideration because especially GDC and MI factors are not easy to control. They should be encouraged to monitor the physical processes contributing to subaerial and underwater geomorphological changes in accordance with integrated approaches (Bartolini et al, 2018) and using modern techniques that provide continuous, low-cost data acquisition (e.g., Pozzebon et al, 2018), and remote sensing (e.g., Splinter et al, 2018). This prudent course of action will put the emphasis of the "problems-solutions" binomial on solutions.…”

Advances in real time smart monitoring of environmental parameters using IoT and sensors

“…The flux change that causes the generation of EMF on an ATMega microcontroller is measured and proportionate wind speed is calculated. The direction of the wind is measured using digital compass-based equipment [ 52 ].…”

Solar energy harvesting for LoRaWAN-based pervasive environmental monitoring

“…The R4 resistor is actually short-circuited because the solar module already outputs a voltage in the order of some Volts. The upper branch is the current sensing part: the current is converted into a voltage through the 1 Ω resistor and then amplified by 2 The term characterisation may be object of misunderstanding. In this context, we are only interested in evaluating the maximum power deliverable by the solar cell, we do not want to determine its parameters (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor) from the currentvoltage curve.…”

Implementing a coastal dune vulnerability index (CDVI) to support coastal management in different settings (Brazil and Italy)

“…It is essential for coastal managers to take this outcome into close consideration because especially GDC and MI factors are not easy to control. They should be encouraged to monitor the physical processes contributing to subaerial and underwater geomorphological changes in accordance with integrated approaches (Bartolini et al, 2018) and using modern techniques that provide continuous, low-cost data acquisition (e.g., Pozzebon et al, 2018), and remote sensing (e.g., Splinter et al, 2018). This prudent course of action will put the emphasis of the "problems-solutions" binomial on solutions.…”

Advances in real time smart monitoring of environmental parameters using IoT and sensors

“…The flux change that causes the generation of EMF on an ATMega microcontroller is measured and proportionate wind speed is calculated. The direction of the wind is measured using digital compass-based equipment [ 52 ].…”

Solar energy harvesting for LoRaWAN-based pervasive environmental monitoring

“…The R4 resistor is actually short-circuited because the solar module already outputs a voltage in the order of some Volts. The upper branch is the current sensing part: the current is converted into a voltage through the 1 Ω resistor and then amplified by 2 The term characterisation may be object of misunderstanding. In this context, we are only interested in evaluating the maximum power deliverable by the solar cell, we do not want to determine its parameters (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor) from the currentvoltage curve.…”

Implementing a coastal dune vulnerability index (CDVI) to support coastal management in different settings (Brazil and Italy)

“…It is essential for coastal managers to take this outcome into close consideration because especially GDC and MI factors are not easy to control. They should be encouraged to monitor the physical processes contributing to subaerial and underwater geomorphological changes in accordance with integrated approaches (Bartolini et al, 2018) and using modern techniques that provide continuous, low-cost data acquisition (e.g., Pozzebon et al, 2018), and remote sensing (e.g., Splinter et al, 2018). This prudent course of action will put the emphasis of the "problems-solutions" binomial on solutions.…”

Advances in real time smart monitoring of environmental parameters using IoT and sensors

“…The flux change that causes the generation of EMF on an ATMega microcontroller is measured and proportionate wind speed is calculated. The direction of the wind is measured using digital compass-based equipment [ 52 ].…”

Solar energy harvesting for LoRaWAN-based pervasive environmental monitoring

“…The R4 resistor is actually short-circuited because the solar module already outputs a voltage in the order of some Volts. The upper branch is the current sensing part: the current is converted into a voltage through the 1 Ω resistor and then amplified by 2 The term characterisation may be object of misunderstanding. In this context, we are only interested in evaluating the maximum power deliverable by the solar cell, we do not want to determine its parameters (open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, fill factor) from the currentvoltage curve.…”