Challenges of subsurface geo-sensing and monitoring using wireless signal networks

Abstract

Real time global subsurface geo-sensing and monitoring can be achieved using a new concept of wireless sensor networks. The new concept uses the signal strength variation of wireless sensor nodes in the host medium as the main indicator of a subsurface event or change in physical properties of the soil such as water content, density, and formation of discontinuities. The feasibility of implementing the wireless signal networks for subsurface monitoring has been investigated through laboratory simulation experiments which demonstrated that the wireless signal networks is a viable approach for a reliable geo-sensing and monitoring of subsurface hazards. The challenges facing the wireless signal networks for implementation in geo-sensing and subsurface monitoring are discussed in this paper. These challenges are divided into network and geo-media categories and potential solutions to these challenges are offered for most cases.